The Sunshine State Visits Gonnella |
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The tour took place at Gonnella's impressive, modern baking facility at 1001 W. Chicago Avenue, which produces hundreds of bakery products for the restaurant and retail marketplaces. During the tour students were allowed to see the complete inner workings of a commercial bakery from the beginning process of mixing ingredients through to final packaging and logistics. Valencia Community College has approximately 1,700 students in their hospitality and culinary programs. The 17 students who attended the NRA Show and the Gonnella tour are members of the "Future Hospitality Leaders of America" an on-campus association. The students earned the recent trip by volunteering at community events in their related field. Scott Richardson, a seasoned hospitality executive and Chef of 16 years said, "This was the first commercial bakery most of the students had toured. They were impressed by the operation and took great notice at the sanitation practices within the bakery." "The tour offered students a look into the baking industry. Many left with an interest in taking baking classes at Valencia," said Chef Scott. The plant tour was arranged by Chef Scott and Dave Gonnella, a Sales Manager at Gonnella Baking Company. Their relationship goes back many years when Chef Scott worked for a Food Service Management Group. "Dave, along with Gonnella, believes in building and cultivating relationships. I was impressed with the longevity of many of the employees at Gonnella and the pride in which the employees take when they are making their products. Touring Gonnella is a great benefit for our students." If you are a culinary institute or another related organization interested in touring a Gonnella facility, please contact Dave Gonnella at dgonnella@gonnella.com. Founded in 1886 and celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011, the Gonnella Baking Company produces over three million pounds of product weekly at three Chicago area facilities in addition to its newest plant in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. As a high quality supplier for the in-store bakery and food service industries, Gonnella offers several product lines within the fresh baked, Baked Frozen and frozen dough categories. For more information please contact Tom Marcucci, Vice President, 2006 West Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612. Telephone (312) 733-2020, Fax (312) 733-7670, Web site: www.gonnella.com . |
Chicago, IL -- During a recent trip to Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA), students from Valencia Community College in Florida were treated to a tour of Chicago's famous Gonnella Baking Co's production facility. The group consisted of 17 culinary and hospitality students and their professor, Chef Scott Richardson.