With Kenwood’s Chef G leaving at the conclusion of the 2024 school year, the face of Kenwood’s culinary program changed but the program is still a thriving success many students love to take during their time here.
Chef Jeff is the person who replaced Chef G to guide our students into the food profession. Prior to becoming a teacher he was a chef in Virginia Beach, Va. He’s worked all positions in a restaurant, and is mostly known for his position as the executive chef at American Brews. He has worked in the food industry his whole life, as his father and his uncle also owned their own restaurant in Virginia Beach, Va. But just last year he moved from Virginia Beach to Maryland, and worked as a long term substitute at Overlea High School.
In order to take the food professionals class you must be at least a sophomore, you must also have interest in culinary, and you must be able to work in a fast paced environment. He wants students to understand that this class is not just for “free eats” and that there are many steps involved in making, preparing, and cooking these foods. He also want students to know that this is a two year program, that starts off with the basics of food handling and workplace safety, and as time progresses, by the end of the second year students are able to end the year with a Servsafe certification, a paid internship in the industry, and opportunities to obtain college credits as completers.
Chef Jeff has said that in previous years Chef G has catered many events such as the JROTC ball, wrestling tournament coaches’ breakfast, and many more. So far this year the class has already catered for the Kenwood High football team’s family dinner and the Kenwood Booster Club meeting.
For future events Jeff Baines plans to cater for Essex CDC (Community league) on November 15, where the first year students will provide pastries, whilst the second year students provide breakfast for the members. Chef Jeff also says that he plans to also cater more for sports teams and clubs, to give students more opportunities for hands-on experience in the culinary industry.
Chef Jeff hopes to “Help provide our students the opportunity to cater their events and give those in my class the chance to not only make a grade but have a chance to feel proud of their hard work!”
