11th graders at High Tech High are supposed to have their career day at their internship site to meet everyone beforehand, but because my internship is in northern California and I live in southern California, I needed to find a place to intern at on the spot. Calling many places in one day, I was running out of hope...until I remembered what the staff at a restaurant called the Yellow Deli told me when I was a freshman. I had done my career day with the Yellow Deli back in 9th grade, and when I did, they made sure to invite me back to help them out any time. Going to a place I had already interned at before wasn't my first choice, but the workers there are so friendly and I had no doubt that they wouldn't decline me coming back. So, I called them, and within 2 minutes, I had my 1 day internship set up. I arrived at 10 AM on May 1st, they welcomed me warmly and passed me an apron. In the kitchen, they have what they call, "the main kitchen" area (for preparing produce, etc...), the soup making area, the sandwich bar, and the salad/desert bar. Upstairs they also have the juice/coffee bar/lounge and next door they have a bakery for pastries and bread. While I was there, I worked in the main kitchen helping to prepare vegetables, fruit, meat, cheeses, and butter needed to assemble sandwiches and make soups. I did a lot in the 4 1/2 hours that I was there and when I finished, everyone complimented me for working fast, thanked me 1,000 times over, and sent me off with a big, fresh salad and a drink. The Yellow Deli is no ordinary restaurant and same goes with the kitchen. I always imagined the kitchen of a busy restaurant like the Yellow Deli to be loud with lots of workers bustling about to get everything on a plate. But the flow was different in this kitchen. No one was stressed out. Everyone was calm and it was quiet enough to still hear the calm folk music that plays through the dining area. There isn't even a dress code at the Deli. All that is required is an apron, gloves (only for some tasks), and for your hair to be tied up. The workers don't have a schedule either. The main 7 workers are expected to be there every business day, and the rest can just wander through the doors whenever they want to. The Yellow Deli doesn't even have work shirts or pants. I actually think that they fact they don't is part of the reason why they are able to bond with each other so well. It helps everyone to get to know each other by being allowed to choose their own clothes. Outfits are part of what we use to express ourselves. At my job, we have to wear work polo shirts and pants. We all look the same and it's hard to see past the uniform and into the person. I've been dining at the Yellow Deli since I moved into the area years ago. I've always appreciated the calm, warm feeling you get by walking through the doors and the delicious, wholesome food they serve. And by being in the kitchen working and chatting with the staff, I truly felt and saw the care and love that they put into their work, each other, and the food. As chefs, being a team is absolutely key and the chefs at the Yellow Deli are one big happy family. They practice order, precision, kindness, and love and I am happy to have been part of their family if even for just one day. Below are some of the real world applications of various topics I've learned in schooling at High Tech High North County:
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Rayna ChavezHello, welcome to my 11th grade internship blog! I've had a passion for cooking since I was 9 years old, so I knew that for my school-required internship I wanted, more than anything, to intern at a business in the culinary field. Fortunately, I was able to land an internship at a health-conscious restaurant in Vista, CA called The Yellow Deli. Read about my once-in-a-lifetime educational experience here. Business Info:My MEntor: Laura Franks (Neviah)
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