Samuel Gaddy – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Trained Cook Now Works at Extended Care

Michelle Lang — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:47:27 +0000

Stephanie Bere was studying business administration at when she realized she didn’t want to work in that field. She has always loved cooking and decided to investigate it as a career option.

helped Bere pursue her passion through training in the Culinary Arts Specialist program. She had a friend who was in NCCTI’s Patient Care Technician program who recommended the accredited school. Bere called NCCTI for more information and enrolled. She was in class from March to September 2021.

Bere excelled in the Culinary Arts Specialist program and upon completion, was offered a job at . She started in a part-time position in October of 2021 but quickly transitioned to a full-time role. She currently works the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift, preparing dinner for the residents of Extended Care.

Bere enjoys the work and finds the schedule convenient for a culinary career since she has a 4-year-old son.

Her favorite part of the job is working with her colleagues.

“It’s like a family,” she said.

91��Ƭ Food Service Director Nelson Gibson calls Bere a great product of NCCTI and an asset to his department.

“She is always positive with her attitude, very well-liked by the staff, a very pleasant person and a skilled cook far beyond her years,” he said. “It is always a pleasure having her on staff because she is a team player and always goes above and beyond her duties.”

Bere has been surrounded by cooking since she was young. Her mother had a restaurant in Africa, where she was born and raised. Bere came to the United States in 2013 at the age of 20. Before starting classes at NCCTI, she worked as a cashier in a New York restaurant.

She had a positive experience as a student at NCCTI. While she already knew how to cook, the school expanded her repertoire of dishes since she mainly cooked African food. The Culinary Arts Specialist program introduced her to American-style cuisine, some of which she had never made before.

NCCTI Culinary Arts Instructor Samuel Gaddy said Bere was a model student and that Extended Care is lucky to have her on staff.

“Ms. Bere is an awesome cook with a vibrant personality to match. Her positive energy and her ability to absorb her training here at NCCTI made her the perfect candidate for any job in the food industry,” he said. “We lucked out and acquired a great asset to our team.”

NCCTI Director Dr. Sylvia McCray is happy that Bere has been able to use her certification to launch her culinary career within 91��Ƭ.

“I was pleased to learn that Ms. Bere was able to showcase her talent, skill and knowledge. And bring it forward to Extended Care,” McCray said. “She has shown a clear connection between the work and dedication to learning, a necessary component to reach set goals.”

The educational foundation Bere received at NCCTI, along with the experience she is getting as a professional cook at Extended Care will help her achieve her ultimate goal.

“One day in the future, I want to open a restaurant,” she said.

Bere is grateful to have found 91��Ƭ for her education and the start of her culinary career.

“NCC helped me a lot,” she said.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical, Patient Care Technician and Culinary Arts Specialist. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

91��Ƭ Extended Care is a skilled nursing facility located at 266 South Orange Ave., Newark. For more information, visit or call 973-624-2020.

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Culinary Arts Students to Focus on Businesses After Graduation

Michelle Lang — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 19:48:19 +0000

Shawnette Maxwell and Zariyah Derrick both have a passion for cooking that they are hoping to turn into full-time careers. Both have started businesses where they sell their food and both decided to enroll in the Culinary Arts Specialist program at to enhance their skills and earn a certification to prove their culinary knowledge to future clients.

Both women are serious about their culinary careers. They quit their jobs to attend NCCTI and pursue their passion. They both got their start cooking early in life, learning the basics of cooking as children. They found joy in it and knew they wanted to take their skills to the next level.

Derrick’s sister and cousin both attended NCCTI and had positive experiences. Her sister earned her high school diploma through the High School Equivalency/GED program and then received a health care certification. Her cousin also completed a health care program. They both encouraged her to earn a culinary certification at the school.

Maxwell first learned about NCCTI in the Clarion newsletter and decided to inquire about the school after seeing its sign along South Orange Avenue.

Both are happy with their decision to enroll in the program.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Maxwell said, explaining how Instructor Samuel Gaddy helped her master gravy making and taught her the importance of having a variety of cutting boards for specific purposes.

Derrick said the program taught her how to correctly use all the cooking equipment and the importance of details.

“I knew how to do big things. But the small things I didn’t know. Like carving the fat off of a big roast,” she said. “I never took the skin and properly shaved it off.”

The women have excelled in the program.

“Both Ms. Maxwell and Ms. Derrick are exceptionally skilled women in culinary cooking. Their talents shine brightly when they prepare to showcase their unique entrees for their classmates to taste,” Gaddy said. “More than often, compliments are thrown their way by Extended Care kitchen staff, fellow students and myself.”

Instead of just searching for employment after graduation, Maxwell and Derrick plan to ramp up their businesses. Maxwell operates . She specializes in Caribbean cuisine but will prepare any type of food that is requested. She caters a variety of events, including birthday parties, weddings and cookouts. She currently operates an Instagram business page and plans to create a website soon. She’s also working toward getting a food truck and possibly a storefront down the line.

Derrick sells soul food by the plate through her Instagram page . She doesn’t want to limit herself to that type of cuisine, however. She hopes to attend a culinary school in Europe to broaden her horizons and gain even more experience.

Maxwell and Derrick’s drive to succeed shines through to staff members. NCCTI Director Dr. Sylvia McCray is happy that the school has been able to put both women on the path to success.

“As a friend of mine, Jon Jernigan, Chef of , stated, ‘We look for people who have a passion for cooking and are wanting to change their situation.’ That is exactly what we found with these two ladies,” McCray said. “They are determined to change their outcomes through hard work and determination, and NCCTI is here to help them do that. I am excited to see what they will do next.”

NCCTI Financial Coach Akeen Downes said Maxwell and Derrick are promising students.

“They exceed expectations in the quality of their work as Culinary Arts students and businesswomen by ensuring they are present, engaged and take initiative to complete the task at hand,” Downes said. “I am confident that both ladies will continue to thrive in their career path as they warm the hearts of many with their wonderful cuisines.”

NCCTI Career Services Coordinator Chanda Webb said she admires their enthusiasm for cooking and their entrepreneurial spirit, as well as their positive attitudes.

“When these two stop by the office, they bring smiles and laughter with them,” Webb said. “I really wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

While Maxwell and Derrick are excited to complete the culinary program in April, they will miss coming to school each day, particularly because of the bonds they have formed with classmates and staff members.

“I got extended family,” Derrick said. “These are women I know I could call even if I’m not in the program. Anybody in the office could help me with anything and I could talk to them. I’m going to miss them when we leave.”

NCCTI Graduate Now NCC Employee and Celebrity’s Personal Chef

Michelle Lang — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 14:42:49 +0000

Paula Moore is well on her way to a successful career in the culinary industry. She graduated from the Culinary Arts Specialist program at 91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) in August 2019 and has been employed at Extended Care, NCC’s skilled nursing facility, as a cook for a year. She recently started a second job as a personal chef for a local celebrity.

“I’m so thankful for everything,” Moore said. “Because this has been quite a journey.”

Moore, who was born and raised in New York, had moved to Florida about 15 years ago and stayed after her mother became ill. When her mother passed nearly six years ago, she felt lost. When she was involved in a car accident in August 2018, she said it became clear to her that she had to return north. She replaced her car and drove to New Jersey with her son, who turns 12 in June.

The pair was placed at Harmony House, 91��Ƭ’s transitional housing facility for homeless families. Moore’s cousin offered her a job managing a restaurant, so she decided to enroll in NCCTI’s Culinary Arts Specialist program so she could earn her ServSafe certificate.

Although the job with her cousin fell through, Moore continued going to class because she enjoyed the course. She excelled and was hired as a cook for Extended Care during her second month in school, a job she still has today.

In February, she started a second job as a personal chef for a local celebrity, a position NCCTI personnel recommended her for. She hopes the opportunity will further her career and help open more doors. Moore’s goal is to one day own her own business with “the works” — restaurant, lounge, catering company and food truck.

“I’m proud of myself because when I came here, I literally had nowhere to go and I was placed in Harmony House, took the schooling through NCC, employed by NCC and got another job through NCC,” she said. She also moved from Harmony House into her own apartment March 1. “Everything’s falling into place. It’s really lining up. So now it’s my opportunity to really get the ball rolling.”

Lead Culinary Arts Specialist Instructor Jonathan Butler believes the future is bright for Moore.

“I’m not surprised at Paula’s success in this industry. She was a wonderful student,” Butler said. “She’s just going to keep growing.”

Moore said Butler and Samuel Gaddy, Culinary Arts Specialist Assistant Instructor, were supportive from the first day of class and encouraged her. Now that they’re colleagues, Moore said the support and encouragement continues.

Before enrolling at NCCTI, Moore’s professional experience consisted of bookkeeping and accounting in the banking and finance sector. The school helped her find her passion and she plans to use her financial experience to help propel her when she’s able to start her own business.

NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton said the Culinary Arts Specialist program played an integral role in Moore’s educational and professional growth in the food service industry.

“Paula loves to cook and her passion for serving others comes out in the quality of her food presentation. As a student in our Culinary Arts program, she served as a leader and always made herself available to support her classmates,” he said. “We’re confident Paula will represent NCCTI in a very positive light as she continues to progress.”

Moore plans to stay working at Extended Care preparing meals for residents in addition to her personal chef responsibilities. She enjoys cooking for others.

“The thing that makes me happy is when I put a plate down in front of someone and they clean the plate,” she said. “I like when that plate is cleared because it shows that they enjoyed what they ate and they’re satisfied.”

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.