|
With an MBA in marketing and 13 years of experience
with companies like Kellogg's, Uncle Ben's and Dreyer's,
Amy Bracco was an expert at getting new products to fly off the shelves.
The problem was she wasn't learning anything new or really enjoying
her work.
"So I quit," says the 41-year-old Michigan-native.
In her late thirties, Bracco
went back to school to master one of her passions — cooking. After taking
a few courses through Continuing Education at George Brown, she decided to
enroll in the full-time Culinary Management program.
"The curriculum is pretty extensive and complete,"
says Bracco. "What I liked most was the hands-on experience I got
from the
labs and the professional relationships with the chef
professors, which then led
to job opportunities."
Near the end of her first year, Bracco started working
part-time at Marsan, an award-winning processor of
frozen foods, soups, and other products for grocery stores, and foodservice
providers.
Since graduating from George Brown in 2002, Bracco has
been cooking up new products as a full-time research
and development chef for Marsan.
"It dovetails nicely with the kind of work I was doing
before as I ended up mostly in new product development
and marketing," Bracco says. "Aren't I the luckiest person
on earth that I get
to do for a living what I'd be doing at home anyways?"
Bracco
continues her relationship with the George Brown Chef
School as a member of the Innovation Circle, a
group of industry experts who provide feedback and
insight into culinary education,
and
the Compliments Centre, a test kitchen located in
the Chef School where new products are developed for grocery
retailer Sobey's.
"I've enjoyed it immensely," Bracco says of her involvement
with the College. "It gives me the opportunity to
use my marketing skills and my culinary expertise all at once."
Bracco's advice to future culinary students is to
try new things and be open to non-traditional jobs
in the field. "I never meant to end up where I did, yet
where I am is perfect for me."
Read more stories from George Brown Graduates...
We encourage you to visit the Alumni Association.
To learn more, visit the George
Brown College Alumni page.
|
