Hillsborough County Public Schools Business
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, September 7, 2010
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Agreement for Technical Services with Ben Guggenmos to Assist School Nutrition Managers (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Student Nutrition Services (SNS) wants to enhance the quality of its food preparation and presentation, especially by using fresher ingredients to offer healthier menu choices. Many of the 1,800 SNS employees at more than 200 sites were hired to serve and cashier, but few have a foundation of basic culinary skills needed to prepare exceptional food items. Training these employees in culinary skills can be difficult to schedule with the current SNS staff.

Contracting with a culinary chef can provide SNS employees with valuable hands-on experience and the one-on-one technical assistance that is needed for employees to prepare and promote quality food items. Chef Guggenmos was chosen because he has a B.S. degree in culinary nutrition, a B.A degree in food service management, and a masters degree in organizational leadership. He has worked in several chef positions and recently finished an internship through the American Dietetic Association to become a registered dietitian. The diversity he has in skills and education prepares him to work well with school nutrition employees.

Chef Guggenmos will provide culinary training to all SNS employees through a series of small group trainings. He will also provide technical assistance, one-on-one with individual school employees, as needed. Students will benefit from culinary demonstrations that include nutrition basics. And lastly, he will develop and test new recipes and preparation techniques that ensure the production of high quality foods in all schools. Overall, Chef Guggenmos will bring valuable culinary expertise to the SNS program by helping managers meet their goal of "quality food, quality service everyday to every child."

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

* Align the performance management system with the district’s priorities

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

The contract is not to exceed $41,000. This is an annual expense to the Student Nutrition Services budget and is, therefore, not charged against the general fund.

EVALUATION

N/A

SUBMITTED BY: MaryKate Harrison, General Manager, Student Nutrition Services

Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent
Student Services and Federal Programs Division
(813) 272-4879
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.10
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20100907_419 * Section A Item# 5.10