Meet Mr. Argnardo, the culinary teacher at West Boca. He was born in Newark, NJ and raised in Warren, Ohio, until he was 18. From a young age, cooking was his passion. He’d watch his mom, Rosa, cook. It inspired him, and that’s when he knew that culinary would be a part of his future. His favorite dish to cook is a good Pot roast (beef stew), and obviously everyone has a favorite dessert to make, and his is “anything cold and hot” said directly from him, like an apple tart with vanilla ice cream.
He finally became a chef when he enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America, located in Dutchess County, New York. Guess who else attended this culinary school? Anne Burrell and Michael Chiarello, two famous chefs! Fun fact! The Culinary Institute of America is actually being used as a set for the show called “The Next Gen Chef”, which streams on Netflix!
After attending college, Mr. Agnardo worked at hotels. He’s cooked for the Avalon Inn and Resort in Ohio, the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, and The Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia. After working and cooking all those years for hotels, he finally decided to become a culinary teacher here at West Boca. He came to West Boca in the 2021-2022 school year. For him, working here has been a pleasure. “I went home and cooked a meal you taught me,” that is Mr. Agnardo’s favorite phrase to hear. He loves teaching all his students how to properly cook amazing and delicious meals, but even better, he loves seeing his students slowly start falling in love with the art of cooking.
The Culinary Academy sits in building 8, between the clang of pans, the scent of something just beginning to brown. This academy is not only about learning recipes, but also learning patience, precision, and the art of creation through food. Silver ovens line the walls, long stainless tables gleam, and it is in this environment that students gain practice and experience. This month for example students and Mr. Agnardo will be preparing the food for a charter event on October 30th. They are also now preparing to sell a Dubai Chocolate cookie, which we had the opportunity to taste, and it was DELICIOUS.
Through this academy, students can have a place to learn and be creative through cooking. When we asked Mr. Agnardo’s favorite dish to teach students, his answer was the Passion Fruit Panna Cotta, which consists of passion fruit puree, heavy cream, sugar, and gelatin. He loves to see students grow their senses in the kitchen, that is why he gives them the opportunity to be part of something bigger in the academy: On Wednesday (wellnessday) the Academy cooks a healthier dish, on Thursday, they offer… a not so healthy bite, and on Fridays they have their fried rice Friday! If you are interested in trying their delicious dishes, they take orders through their Instagram.
Mr. Agnardo hopes to help students learn and grow into themselves and the kitchen. He hopes students can learn something that will help them in the future. ‘’Something I tell my students is that in life they have to do something that separates them from competition, you have to stand out, participate in class, and volunteer! Differentiate yourself and let your teachers know you.’’ said Mr. Agnardo. So go out there, and get to know your teachers and your own passions!
Follow West Boca’s Culinary Academy account on instagram to stay updated and order their delicious dishes on: @westbocaculinary
