The Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory students were treated to a hands-on master class with prominent chef and Asian food master Jet Tila. This experience kicked off Orange County School of the Arts’ (OCSA) fourth annual Master Artist Series, which brings arts professionals to campus to participate in masterclasses, demonstrations, discussions and more.
More than 80 students filed into OCSA’s Center for the Arts kitchen to help Tila cook and serve delicious pineapple fried rice. Tila worked with the students in groups of 20, as they studied each step of this popular Thai dish.
Culinary Arts & Hospitality sophomore Shealyn Pinkman said she enjoyed hearing Tila speak about his various jobs in the culinary industry – from his early days working in his parent’s restaurants in downtown Los Angeles to opening an acclaimed restaurant in one of the top hotels in Las Vegas.
In between providing students with cooking tips and tricks, Tila shared his personal journey as an internationally celebrated chef, best-selling author and restaurant owner. He has also had the joy of appearing on the Food Network, including the popular shows “Iron Chef America,” “Chopped,” “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and others.
Tila attributed the initial inspiration for becoming a chef to his grandmother, who cooked with him when he was a child.
“It’s absolutely important for young students to have mentors. I had phenomenal mentors. It’s really hard to excel at something; to be a master. It’s important for younger people in the field to meet someone in person, hear their story in person and to be able to engage with them in person,” Tila said.
Opportunities like OCSA’s Master Artist Series give students the opportunity to hear directly from professionals, who shine light on what it takes to achieve success and a fulfilling career. Tila said this gives students a taste of how to reach their own goals.
“It’s a gift for the kids. It’s a gift for myself. It’s special when these kids leave saying, ‘oh my gosh that was amazing’ or ‘You taught me something’ or ‘You inspired me.’ I feel really lucky to be able to do that,” said Tila.
Charley Daugherty, a sophomore in the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory, said she took away many new skills from the master class that she feels will help her in the kitchen.
“Chef Tila showed us a lot of useful knife skills. I also learned to not waste any products and that it’s very important to use everything, no matter what,” Charley said.
The Master Artist Series will continue over the course of the 2019-2020 school year with recording artist and Broadway Actor Terron Brooks, who will perform alongside Popular Music Conservatory students at OCSA’s annual Season Premiere in September. More artists to visit campus this season include Metropolitan Opera star Susan Graham, three-time Emmy Award-winning choreographer Marguerite Derricks, two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Diane Schuur, Broadway actress Courtney Reed and many others.
