Earlier this week, Avero hosted two recent high school graduates and taught them the ins and outs of the hospitality industry, restaurant technology solutions, and much more as part of the third annual Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Externship program. The two lucky winners of this year’s experience were Heidy Mota of Harry S. Truman High School and Darlene Reyes of the Food and Finance High School.
Heidy and Darlene spent two jam-packed days fully immersed in the Avero culture, learning about restaurant technology solutions and trends plus enjoying delicious meals at Gramercy Tavern, Tertulia, and Eataly.
Heidy has previously worked in the kitchen at Betony, and through her C-CAP job placement will soon be starting as a breakfast line cook at Ma Peche for the summer before attending Monroe College in the fall. One of Heidy’s culinary arts instructor says she is “so focused on her goals of becoming a chef and leader that it’s inspired a lot of the next generation coming up behind her”, and she dreams of running her own kitchen one day.
“One does not often hear about a lot of women restaurant owners,” Heidy stated in her application essay. “And I intend to change that.”
Darlene has previously worked for Make My Cake in Harlem and has an interest in pastries, but also wants to be more involved in the business side of restaurants.
“I hope that someday I can have the honor of feeding other people from around the world,” she said. Darlene will attending Monroe College in the fall as well.
Avero and C-CAP look forward to seeing what Heidy and Darlene fulfill their dreams in the hospitality industry! Check out some highlights from the trip below.
Some dishes from Heidy & Darlene’s lunch at Gramercy Tavern with the Avero team.
Heidy & Darlene getting a kitchen tour during dinner at Tertulia.
Darlene dishing out some unforgettable paella from Tertulia.
First picture above: Heidy & Darlene with the Avero team outside of Tertulia.
