A Taste of Career Possibilities with Healthcare Services Group

April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

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A Taste of Career Possibilities with HCSG

Careers, Fostering Fulfillment, Social Impact

What started as an exciting culinary partnership in 2024 for Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) and Dover High School has grown into an engaging and informative program that blends cultural exploration with real-world career possibilities for high school students.

Led by Culinary Teacher Ciara Martin, junior and senior students embark on a virtual journey around the world each week, exploring different cultures through culinary art. This immersive experience sparks curiosity that extends beyond the classroom and opens doors for students interested in pursuing a career in dining services.

Throughout the day, 75 students were divided into small groups to prepare a Caribbean cuisine menu, including jerk chicken, red snapper with mango salsa, and coconut chickpea curry. The main entrées were complemented by classic Caribbean sides, including coconut rice, fried plantains, and crisp cabbage with citrus dressing. Chef Willie worked alongside students, offering hands-on instruction, demonstrating cooking techniques, and encouraging teamwork.

This year, HCSG Senior Executive Chef Willie Enchill, Director of Dining Services Scott Shontz, Corporate Menu Specialist Gabby Balla, and Director of Business Development Jesse Glanden guided students through their Caribbean Cuisine lesson, introducing them to the diverse roles in the culinary world. Each team member brought a unique perspective to the classroom, giving students a firsthand look at the many career paths available within the food service industry.

Beyond the culinary skills students were gaining from Chef Willie, Jesse offered students insight from a business point of view. He shared, “Even though I’m not a chef, I’m still a part of our dining services team. It’s important for me to understand how our culinary and menu planning operate in order to best present our services to clients.”

Gabby, who began her career as a Registered Dietitian and now works on the corporate menu planning side, added, “Thinking outside the box when it comes to traditional dining and dietitian roles is essential to discovering what you could see yourself doing as a career.”

By the end of the day, the students not only cooked a delicious meal, but got a real taste of the diverse career opportunities available. Willie reflected, “The highlight of my day was seeing my fellow colleagues interact with the students. It showed students that their interest in food and cooking could be outside of the traditional settings of working in hotels and restaurants.” As the students learned more about the long term care community, Scott reflected on the bigger picture, “we serve over 1,500 nursing homes, three meals a day, 365 days a year—that’s about 110 million meals per year on average. Our job is to ensure those meals are served with love and care for each resident.”

We’re proud to support programs that empower students to explore their interests, gain experience, and envision what they can achieve. By connecting students with industry professionals and providing hands-on experience, we remain committed to creating career opportunities and fostering fulfillment in communities. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take the next step, HCSG offers a wide range of roles across dining services and beyond. Visit HCSG.Careers to learn more.