SJTHS Academy of Culinary Arts

At St. Johns Technical High School, learning goes far beyond the classroom—and into the heart of our community. This school year, the Academy of Culinary Arts has been invited to participate in the Dining with Dignity program, a compassionate initiative led by Home Again St. Johns that provides hot meals to unsheltered individuals in our […]

The Academy of Culinary Arts students recently had the opportunity to sharpen their skills in a hands-on cooking session focused on making a classic frittata. The experience began with knife skills practice, as students diced fresh peppers and onions—an essential foundation for any savory dish. Under the guidance of Maria Crann from Create-A-Cook, one of the

At the Academy of Culinary Arts, we believe that culinary excellence goes hand-in-hand with strong communication and organizational skills. Recently, our students had the opportunity to learn just that through a hands-on lesson led by one of our esteemed chef business partners, Chef Rosaria Cammarata. The focus of the lesson was the Banquet Event Order (BEO)

Starting in January 2025, the Academy of Culinary Arts invited industry partners who attend our quarterly advisory board meetings to stay and participate in a small group roundtable discussion about the Culinary & Hospitality industry.  For an hour and a half, academy students talked with Nick Massie, General Manager and Co-Owner of Blackfly the Restaurant

Chef Sebastian Sikora, Chef de Cuisine at La Cocina International Restaurant, and respected member on the SJTHS Academy of Culinary Arts advisory board, spent a day in the classroom with our young culinarians cooking up a tasty meal for our final Dining with Dignity event. Chef Sikora and students baked chicken thighs which were later

The Academy of Culinary Arts enjoyed preparing two hearty meals for Home Again St. Johns and their Dining with Dignity program this year. Students planned, prepped, cooked and served a full hot meal and dessert to homeless community members in November and again in March this school year. In November, students prepared an Italian pasta

The Academy of Culinary Arts students and staff are so fortunate to have connected with Chef Chris Scrivano, The Culinary Network Senior Manager of Chartwells Higher Ed, as he has provided an abundance of support and learning opportunities over the past year. Most recently, he arranged for a tour of two back of the house

Last fall when Bethany Mitidieri learned there was an opening on the advisory board for the Academy of Culinary Arts at St. Johns Technical High School, she jumped at the opportunity to join. She has been an instrumental member of the advisory board since last November, attending every meeting and assisting academy staff with connecting

Students in the Academy of Culinary Arts at St. Johns Technical High School got to participate in the school’s first “Mystery Basket Cooking Competition.” The competition featured four teams of students paired with a professional chef from area restaurants. The students enjoyed some friendly competition while getting to hone their skills as well as increase

For several years, the Academy of Culinary Arts has partnered with Home Again St. Johns and the Dining with Dignity project to serve a meal to homeless in St. Augustine. Last spring, the academy was selected to be the recipient of a St. Augustine Rotary fundraising event. We received a generous donation so that we

When the Culinary Academy learned that a new funding source was needed to continue their years of community service preparing meals for the homeless population in St. Augustine, the team started reaching out to local organizations for financial support.  Included in the search was a conversation with Advisory Board member, Lorna MacDonald (Raintree restaurant), regarding

The Academy of Culinary Arts at St. Johns Technical High School took 1st place amongst local area restaurants in the 2019 Souper Bowl soup competition. The students’ Creamy Tortilla Soup won the People’s Choice award over chefs from 26 local restaurants! The Academy of Culinary Arts students have participated in the Souper Bowl for the

  Where can you tour the kitchens of an independent restaurant, observe chefs in action, make your own crepes and have a gourmet lunch?…the Raintree Restaurant, of course! Students from the Academy of Culinary Arts were recently treated to a fun-filled and educational day at the Raintree.  The students learned the inter-workings of a successful independently owned restaurant along

The Academy of Culinary Arts students were given a terrific behind-the-scenes tour of the Ponte Vedra Lodge and Club.  The tour showcased the different careers and operations of the Club.  The students also were given applied learning opportunities and honed in on their table setting and buffet setup skills.  The day was topped off with a delicious

Students from the Academy of Culinary Arts at St. Johns Tech were treated to an enthusiastic presentation about culinary careers in the military by Master Chief Spears of Nease High School.    Master Chief Spears shared his culinary journey that took him from high school to a 25 year career as a Culinary Specialist in the