Ritchie Delivers $50,000 for Future Chefs at Jeff-Lewis BOCES

State Senator Patty Ritchie is announcing she has secured $50,000 to help modernize the culinary arts program kitchen at the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES Center in Watertown.

“It’s important for students to learn the latest in the culinary arts in an up-to-date kitchen,” said Senator Ritchie. “I am pleased to secure this funding, which will help our future chefs gain the hands-on experience they need to be successful in their future careers.”

The funding was used to purchase a host of new commercial equipment, including ranges, sinks, work tables, griddles, a refrigerator, and much more.

“The Culinary Arts Program is one of our most popular and fastest growing programs,” said Steve Todd, District Superintendent of Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES. “We are deeply grateful to the Senator for this grant, as it has allowed us to do much-needed equipment modernization in this busy learning space, which benefits over 60 area high school students each day.”

This funding is just one of numerous examples of Senator Ritchie supporting educational programs at Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES.

Recently, Senator Ritchie delivered $10,000 for their “GPS for Success” program, which puts people on paths to employment by connecting them with information on industries looking to hire. 

Made possible through a partnership between Jefferson-Lewis BOCES, WPBS-TV and the Northern New York Community Foundation, GPS for Success provides young people with opportunities to watch, read and learn about possible careers, income potential and educational or training requirements for a variety of employment opportunities.