Where are they now? Fox Chapel Area's Ashton Monroe

Ashton Monroe, a 2021 Fox Chapel Area graduate, is back in a familiar setting at A.W. Beattie Career Center.

Only now, instead of learning, she is educating students as an instructional assistant in the Culinary Arts program. She also works at Cornerstone Restaurant in Aspinwall.

"It felt a little strange to be on the opposite side of the classroom in the beginning, but now it feels natural," Ms. Monroe said. "I get to see the new equipment that has been obtained since I graduated. Since I was a part of the program, if I see a student stuck in the curriculum, I can help them and give advice for next time. Overall, it feels great to be back!"

Being in the Culinary Arts program for three years led Ms. Monroe toward a career pathway that she hopes will culminate in employment as an Career and Technical Education instructor in a Culinary Arts program.

"I would have to say (Mr. Ellis and Chef Yurek) did an awesome job at preparing me for the future!" she said. "In class, we run a dining room, and there I got to practice my customer service skills as well as doing competitions! I learned a bunch of different skills that later on in college I didn't have to take classes on, and that really helped me financially. Also, I was able to get my ServSafe Certification my senior year which means I could get jobs in better places for a little more money. Basically, Beattie set me up for success!"

Ms. Monroe then attended Pittsburgh Technical College for Culinary Arts and earned an Associate's Degree in 18 months.

"I learned so many new things there culinary-related and in regular classes," Ms. Monroe said. "Our cooking classes would be two days a week and they were five hours long. There, your last quarter is for internships; I had gotten one at the Duquesne Club in Downtown Pittsburgh. It really opened my eyes to the club life of the culinary field."

Ms. Monroe became interested in the Culinary Arts field after years of cooking and baking with her grandma.

"I found a love and passion for cooking over the years!" she said. "I like seeing people eat and enjoy the things I create!"