TR Leger hosts SHSM Summer Southern BBQ

Image of Shawna O'Neill
By Shawna O'Neill
TR Leger hosts SHSM Summer Southern BBQ
From left, SHSM student Bathanie Langabeer, Vice Principal Trent Carter-Edwards, SHSM Lead Tammy Cooper and Chefs Mat Drouin and Travis Dunning (Shawna O'Neill/TC Media).

CORNWALL, Ontario – The smell of grilled goods wafted through the air at the TR Leger Summer Southern BBQ on Wednesday, May 22, hosted by students of the Hospitality and Tourism Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program.

“Matt Drouin from BBQwithdrew and Chef Travis Dunning came in and they worked with our kids and helped them prepare the ribs. They showed them how to pull the membrane off, season them properly, so we had about 32 racks of ribs, 25 lbs of ground beef — which turned out the be 80 patties — then a chunky apple cold slaw, potatoes, butter tarts and salad greens from our own organic grow tower,” said Vice Principal Trent Carter-Edwards.

Carter-Edwards said he was proud of all the students that made the event possible. He was happy that students had the opportunity to learn a different method of cooking with a wood fired grill and is hoping the luncheon will become an annual endeavour, like the fall Chili Cook-off.

“It’s a couple of really nice big events for our students to shine…it has been really great hands-on experiential learning for (them),” he said.

Students can choose to pursue the Hospitality and Tourism SHSM as early as a Grade 11 and graduate with a red seal on their diploma which is indicative of their advanced experience in the field.

Chef Mat Drouin, who created a course called Better BBQ: Pork 101, was happy to help students. He thought it was an awesome opportunity to utilize a Traeger Grill and is looking forward to getting involved with educational facilities in the future.

“We came in yesterday and prepped all the food… it was pretty cool to see them get very engaged. It’s an awesome opportunity to show off what wood fire food tastes like to a crowd,” said Drouin.

Carter-Edwards thanked community partners from Laurencrest Youth Services and CPS, Cornwall Tourism, local media and other board members for attending.

“I’m so proud to be the administrator here. The kids are doing great…we have the opportunity here for kids to shine, no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through and we provide all the same experiences that mainstream education does and more,” he said.

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