Oak Forest High School Hosts Food Truck Expo

After six weeks of hard work, Oak Forest High School students in Mr. Jim Matlon’s introduction to business classes had the opportunity to show off their talents. In early November, Mr. Matlon announced to his students that his classes would be the first to host a Food Truck Expo in Bremen High School District 228 history. While Matlon and other District 228 entreprenuership teachers from Bremen, Tinley Park, Hillcrest, and Oak Forest high schools have hosted an entreprenuership trade shows in the past, which is similar in style, Oak Forest High School and Mr. Matlon’s classes can proudly take claim to originating the interactive and delicious Food Truck Expo.

Students created their own teams or business partners, strategic business plans, branding, and operations throughout six weeks. Then, each team carefully designed their own presentation and pitches to display at the expo. Students and staff from across District 228 were invited to the expo in an effort to pick a “winner” from the food truck businesses on display. Judges picked their top three favorites based on the sales pitch, design, and overall concept of each student’s presentation.

While it would be impossible for students to purchase their own food trucks (and fit them into the Oak Forest High School library), the concept remains the same. Many students brought food samples for judges to try out. Some students even sported attire to represent their business. For example, Riley Ensing and Cody Koerber, who created Big House Slides, developed a Michigan State themed food truck to sell various sliders near tailgates at the college stadium. They were decked out in Michigan State wear and believe their food truck concept could be spread throughout various colleges and universities.

At the end of the day, it was a tremendous success for students and staff alike. Unlike the entrepreneurship trade show which is for upperclassman entrepreneurship students, the food truck expo was made with the thought of District 228 freshmen who will take introduction to business. The expo gives these students some structural guidelines while also allowing them creativity and a glimpse into the business world.

Mr. Malton looks forward to expanding the expo next year across the district. Additionally, he hopes to collaborate with culinary classes where students could work together to demonstrate skills in both the culinary and business fields.