donation to culinary arts school

A generous gift by Sevier County restraunteur Geoffrey Wolpert has enabled Walters State’s Rel Maples Institute of Culinary Arts to operate a bakery program like few other culinary schools.
The owner of the popular Peddler and Park Grill restaurants in Gatlinburg recently donated over $75,000 in ovens and baking materials to the institute. Wolpert is a member of Walters State’s Culinary Arts Advisory Board.
“It is very rare for a culinary arts institution to have this type of equipment,” explained Chef Catherine Hallman, assistant professor and head of the Institute.  The gift included specialized ovens, an electric stove and unique cake pans.
The donation left Chef Catherine Hallman, head of the Rel Maples Institute, raving about the work her students would now be able to do.
“We have the same bakery equipment now that is used in the business and that’s a great tool for teaching students. We have an excellent baking and pastry curriculum, but this equipment will make it even better. Baking is so much different than preparing hot foods.
“This equipment will give our students invaluable experience. Students will understand how a bakery works and can step from the classroom right into work,” Hallman said.
One example of the new skills that will be taught will be how steam is used in baking French bread, Hallman added.
The public can share in the students’ work through an open bakery at the Institute on the Walters State Sevier County Campus every Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The bakery is located in the Conner-Short Center and offers a wide array of baked goods including breads, cinnamon roles and pastries, muffins, cakes and pies. Look for special treats offered around spring holidays. For Valentine’s Day, for example, the bakery will offer truffles and Valentine-themed cupcakes and cookies.
In addition to providing students with valuable experience, any funds generated by the bakery goes back to the Institute, keeping student fees as low as possible.