Chip wagon welcomes college students
A successful culinary career can be based on a simple premise.
That was the message about 45 culinary management students from Niagara College took away from a visit to Jake’s Chip Wagon in downtown Niagara Falls, Friday.
The first-year Canadian Food and Wine Institute students, who come from all over the world, had the chance to speak with owners Jake and Amy Hiebert, learn from them, and, of course, sample those iconic fries.
“We have one product and we try to make it better than anyone else,” Jake said with a smile.
The popular chip wagon has been in business since 1945. Food Network Canada in 2016 named it one of the top 10 chip trucks in Canada.
“This is not only a field trip but it’s also an opportunity for a learning environment outside the classroom that has a fringe benefit,” explained Mark Picone, chef professor of the culinary management program, which includes a culinary cost control class.
“Here they will have an exposure to understanding the rationale of cost analysis, profit incentives, recipe standards and yields management.”
Picone said the chip wagon is a great example of a successful business that is based on a single product.
“They’ve been here since 1945 and they’re still going strong today in 2017,” he said.
This is the second time the Hieberts have offered a hands-on outdoor classroom experience to Niagara College students.
“They are so polite and they ask the right questions,” Amy said.
Sashanna Beckett, from the Bahamas, was looking forward to trying the famous fries, and to learning more about how to operate a successful business.
“I’m hoping to learn more about how to run a small business and to learn different things about operating a business,” she said.
Fellow student Valerie Harvey agreed.
“It’s learning how using a single quality ingredient can make money and be a successful business,” the St. Catharines woman said.
After the chip wagon visit, the students stopped by Italian Ice Cream on Victoria Avenue.