This new series brings dynamic career professionals into classrooms via videoconferencing. Panelists talk about their professional life/career path for 5-7 minutes (props or demonstrations are encouraged!) and then entertain questions from your students. This is a great way to get a 'behind the scenes' look at possible career opportunities!

The culinary arts offer a variety of possible careers - - but how do you get started? Listen the different stories of our three panelists: Chef Earl Arrowood, Jr. (Professor & Area Coordinator - Chef Apprenticeship & Culinary Arts at Bucks County Community College), Chef Joseph Poon (Chef of Joseph Poon's Kitchen) and Chef Anna Maria Florio, (proprietor of La Cucina at the Market).

The Panelists

Chef Earl Arrowood, Jr.
Chef Earl has over 40 years of hospitality industry and culinary experience.  Currently he is the Program Coordinator of Chef Apprenticeship and Culinary Arts Programs at Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA.  He is a Certified Chef d’ Cuisine, Certified Culinary Educator, and Member of the American Academy of Chefs – A.C.F.

Chef Joseph Poon
Master Chef Joseph Poon is known for his Asian Fusion Cuisine. He prepares fresh meals with simple elegance -- and a dash of adventure. From his contemporary and quirky venue in Philadelphia Chinatown, hosts private events, conducts Wok 'N Walk Tours of Philadelphia Chinatown and teaches cooking classes. In addition, he leads trips to China and participates in dozens of philanthropic events each year. He recently published the inspirational, autobiographical cookbook, Life is Short...Cooking is Fun.

Chef Anna Maria Fiorio
Bio Coming Soon.

Videoconference Outline

• Welcome/Introductions: Each site will have 60 seconds to introduce themselves. Please have a student ready to share the name of your site, where you are located, who's attending the program, and what you hope to learn by participating
• Speaker Introductions and Presentations: Each speaker will share his or her current career, as well as their path to their current career
• Question and Answer Session: We will conduct this portion of the videoconference in "round robin" fashion. Every school will have an opportunity to ask one question per round.

Pre-Videoconference Activities

• Review Resources: Please review the bios and resources related to each speaker
• Generate Questions: As a class, come up with 10 questions for our speaker. During the videoconference, your school will have an opportunity to ask at least two questions - - but by preparing ten, we can ensure questions aren't repeated! We'll conduct this portion of the videoconference in round robin fashion. We will call on schools in alphabetical order and each school will have an opportunity to ask one question before we move onto the next. After all schools have asked a question, we will repeat the rotation. Please make sure whomever is asking the question(s) are seated right next to the microphone before we get to this portion of the videoconference.