CAIRO, Ga. (WTXL) - Helping a younger generation figure out what they want to be when they graduate!
Thanks to a new program in Cairo, businesses are supporting their community, more than ever before.
The meals are planned and the tables set for the Cairo Grady County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet at the Grady Cultural Center.
"This is sort of Cairo's landmark venue. We've got the 93rd annual banquet for the chamber of commerce to celebrate our members to remind them what they mean to us and to this community," said David Gainous, Executive Director of Cairo Grady County Chamber of Commerce.
And chamber members are making an impact on high school students, simply by attending this banquet.
The Cairo Grady County Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet is a staple for the community, but this year, things are going to be a little different thanks to Cairo High School's Culinary Arts Program.
"They are taking care of everything you see in this room, from the tables. They designed everything. The designed the menus," said Gainous. "They cook the menu. They're serving the menu. Anything they can do and learn from, they have done."
The culinary arts program is still fairly new at the high school, but there are more than 100 students enrolled, with even more on a waiting list for next semester.
"I wished so bad that when I was in high school, somebody had said, 'why don't you just try this?' High school is such a good place for a testing ground to see what career you're really wanting to go into," said Whitney Brown, Culinary Arts Instructor at Cairo High School.
Some of the students in this program have already expressed interest in going to culinary school after graduation, something that Brown feels is very rewarding.
Until then, the students will continue to cater for local events and organizations, something the community enjoys.
"They want us to come back. They want us to do their event. They want to come to the chamber banquet," said Brown. "It's just really neat to be from a small town and have all the local love."
The culinary arts classroom is currently being renovated, but once completed, there will be two full size industrial kitchens and a separate classroom area.
