Nicole Hoffman named CareerTech Champion

Nicole Hoffman admits to being “a bit of a stubborn kid.”

After too many missed days from high school, she was expelled. Ironically, in just a matter of a few years-and CareerTech training-she was invited back to cater a special event at her former high school.

Today, Hoffman, 23, is kitchen manager for Compass Group USA/Outtakes in Denver, Colo.

“I am the go-to girl for both my boss and fellow co-workers,” Hoffman said.

One of those kids that needed a jump-start to get back on track, Hoffman credits CareerTech’s, “above and beyond,” staff for her success.

“CareerTech’s Culinary Arts program helped put me on the right track in life.  I’m so thankful for programs like this,” Hoffman added.

That is why Hoffman has been named a CareerTech Champion.

“CareerTech Champions are alumni of the system’s programs or student organizations who attribute much of success to their CareerTech experience,” according to Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech state director.

Following her expulsion, Hoffman enrolled at Claremore Alternative School in a second chance program. With her rebellious nature, it took a while to warm up to the staff and classmates, but she loved the one-on-one attention and learning experiences offered. The only setback was the limited variety of electives to choose from at this small Oklahoma school.

The school did not offer any classes to nurture her passion for cooking, traced back to days when she helped her grandmother in the kitchen. Hoffman became frustrated.

According to Hoffman it was her alternative education instructor, Mr. Lemmons, who encouraged her to enroll into the culinary arts program at Northeast Technology Center in Pryor, Okla. She looked into it and went to the facility for a tour.

 “It was love at first sight.” Hoffman said. “I immediately enrolled in NTC’s culinary arts program during my junior year.”

With the guidance of her instructor, Karen Wilson, Hoffman also received the recipe for success at NTC.

“I developed people skills and learned kitchen and organizational skills in the food and beverage course,” she said.

Hoffman was noticed by Wilson for her hard work, creativity and the ability to stay on task. She joined the CareerTech student organization, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, and earned one of only two nationally awarded “Leaders at Work” scholarships to the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University. Hoffman was also the first student from Claremore Alternative School to receive a college scholarship.

After graduation in 2003, Hoffman was off to Colorado to major in baking and pastry at JWU.  While there, she started working for Chartwells/JWU, a national food service provider of schools, colleges and universities.

With a starting position of working at the salad bar, Hoffman was soon recognized for her work ethic and promoted to the hot kitchen. She later progressed to the bakery, and finally to head pastry chef.

Hoffman’s new position gave her the exposure she needed to be noticed by Chartwells Regional Chef, Pat Hannah. Hannah offered her the position of site manager. Along with this new position came the opportunity to conduct training for Chartwells at sites in the Southwest.

Hoffman has received many great reviews for her work and has been introduced to people she never imagined meeting.

By the age of 22, Hoffman had met Chef Keegan Gerhard from the Food Network, taught JWU interns, catered for the president of JWU and worked on several large charity events in the Denver metro area.

Hoffman advises young people today when preparing for their future careers.

“Reach for your goals and dreams, sometimes they’re a lot closer than you think.”

“The skills I learned from CareerTech are applied everyday in situations at work and even at home,” Hoffman said. “With the help of CareerTech, I was given opportunities that I never dreamed would come true. This has indeed been an adventure.”

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For more information about CareerTech student organizations or programs go to http://okcareertech.org/main/students

Posted April 14, 2008

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