Xanterra, ACF and Sheridan College Create Chef Apprentice Program
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY, October 31, 2006. Yellowstone National Park concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Greater Yellowstone Chapter and Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyo. have teamed up to create a program that will train chefs on the job while offering certificates from Sheridan College, ACF and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Xanterra's Yellowstone employees enrolled in the program receive 4,000-6,000 hours of training in the company's restaurants, cafeterias and other food operations. At the same time, the apprentices are registered students of Sheridan College's Culinary Certification Program. The students/apprentices receive 572 hours of educational instruction from Greater Yellowstone Chapter ACF instructors under a curriculum developed by Sheridan College.
Xanterra is the primary sponsor of the program, and its executive chef Jim Chapman has spearheaded the project. Chapman was instrumental in creating ACF's Greater Yellowstone Chapter in 2004.
"Xanterra will benefit from this program by having well-qualified cooks and chefs who will return to the park year after year," said Chapman. "We hope to ultimately fill key management positions with those who have completed this program."
Xanterra operates nine lodges and 12 foodservice facilities throughout the park. Apprentices are assigned to Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Yellowstone Lake Hotel. Each year, the company hires some 3,000 seasonal employees to staff lodges, restaurants, gift shops and concessioner-operated tours and activities in the park.
Students/apprentices enrolled in the program pay approximately $1,000 per year for tuition, $250 for books, $75 for ACF junior member dues and a one-time enrollment fee of $110. While in the program, participants perform all foodservice jobs and are paid the prevailing hourly wage for those functions.
Those wishing to enroll in the program should call James Chapman, CEC, at (307) 344-5207 or visit www.yellowstonejobs.com/acf.html.
Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates hotels, cabins and campgrounds throughout the park and has developed wide-ranging activities and programs that have been designed specifically to provide visitors with an enjoyable and enriched experience at the world's first national park.
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