Culinary students from Holyoke High School’s Dean Tech Campus recently gained hands-on, real-world restaurant experience while working in the fast pace and bright lights of the Eastern States Exhibition—also known as The Big E.
Through a partnership with Bean Restaurant Group, students spent two weeks working at the renowned White Hut stand, serving thousands of fairgoers and learning the ins and outs of the restaurant business. Over the course of the fair, juniors and seniors took turns working in various roles such as taking orders, preparing food, and managing the crucial position of food expeditor to ensure smooth and accurate customer service.
“Quite honestly, it’s one of the most important positions in the restaurant, especially in a busy place,” said Dean Tech culinary instructor Noah Berman. “They were the ones who organized everything behind the scenes, making sure everyone got the right food.”
All participating students were provided opportunities to earn a paycheck and earn academic credit toward their vocational certification for their work during The Big E—and several participants have been offered co-op positions and full-time jobs within Bean Restaurant Group’s establishments.
“I loved seeing people happy with their food and appreciated the hard work behind the scenes,” said Dean senior Solmarie Gomez as she reflected on her time spent working at The Big E. “This experience made me feel more prepared for the outside world.”
This year marked the second year of partnership between Dean Tech and the Bean Restaurant Group, expanding from in-class learning to real-world experiences at The Big E. “We treated them like regular employees, holding them to the same expectations, and they really stepped up,” said Bean Restaurant Group’s culinary director Bryan Graham.
“Seeing our students thrive in this environment and then bringing that knowledge back to the classroom is incredibly rewarding,” said Dean Tech’s Career and Technical Education Director Joel McAuliffe.
The Big E has been in operation for more than 100 years, now attracting more than 1.4 million visitors each year. The multi-state fair housed in West Springfield, MA represents the six New England states and includes a midway with rides, multicultural food, exhibit halls, entertainment, and more. The exhibition runs for 17 days each year, this year closing for the season on September 29.
Founded as an educational institution under Massachusetts law, the fair showcases the region’s agricultural, commercial, and educational resources.