2 minute read
A Taste of Student Success
Chef’s Table Market gives students important hands-on experience.
At the back entrance of Fanshawe’s School of Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, you will find fridges and freezers filled with delicious culinary delights, thanks to a new retail space called The Chef’s Table Market.
The Market was an idea born during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to balance culinary students’ academic learning with practical experience. Thanks to its early success, the school had a vision to expand.
“Our enrolment has grown so much that we needed another avenue to showcase all of the fantastic products the students are creating,” says Emma Rankin, manager of The Chef’s Table.
Customers can now find pre-made meals, baked goods, preserves and meat—all created by culinary students, who are also leading the customer service experience.
“Our students are in charge of a lot of the back-end work,” says Kellen Gedies, outreach and events facilitator for The Chef’s Table. “They do the inventory count, assemble and collect orders, weigh their items and price it.”
The Market also supports the community. A portion of some sales goes to Childreach, a local organization that provides services to children and parents. The College has also partnered with IndWell, where Fanshawe students create affordable meals and Too Good To Go, an app that sells surplus food at a reduced price.
The Chef’s Table Market is gaining momentum. “We offer great quality and affordable products,” says Emma. “We are starting to get a good following from local businesses and our students from a variety of programs can see what their classmates are working on.”
The Chef’s Table Market is open to the public on Thursdays, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at 130 Dundas Street (entrance located off Carling Street).
For more information, visit thechefstablefanshawe.ca.
