JTHS Culinary Students Begin Work With Levy Restaurants Executive Chef for Chicagoland Speedway Project

Students from Joliet Central and West High School Culinary Arts II programs began work with Chicagoland Speedway and their concessions partner, Levy Restaurants, to create a signature food item that will be featured on Chicagoland Speedway’s menu during the two NASCAR weekend’s of racing in 2015. During the first visit, Chris Albano, Executive Chef of Levy, joined students to talk about his path to success in the culinary world and to answer questions. Regional Director of Operations, Jan Taylor, was also on hand to provide a corporate overview on Levy as a company.

Albano joined Levy Restaurants in 2009 as Executive Chef at Gold Class Cinemas. He spent two years running the kitchens at Fulton’s Crab House and Wolfgang Puck Café in the Downtown Disney entertainment complex in Orlando, Florida. In 2012, Chris became Executive Chef at Arlington International Racecourse. He oversees the menu development, purchasing and food service culinary operations for all restaurants, banquet facilities, suites, picnic and concessions operations.

Following the semester of guidance from Levy chefs and executives, the students will submit their final culinary creations. The field will be narrowed down by a panel of judges comprised of Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet Township High School and Levy representatives until four finalists remain. The four competing pairs will organize a fundraiser where the final four sandwiches will be available for sampling and voting by members of the community. One winner from Rochelle Bjelland’s Joliet Central class and one winner from Adrienne Walton’s Joliet West class will be chosen, and their sandwiches will be available for purchase during the speedway’s two NASCAR weekends in 2015. In addition to the curriculum competition, all of the participants will have the opportunity to apply for two scholarships totaling $2,500.