“It’s Been Wonderful”

Recently, The Pursuit got the chance to interview Chef Lori Casas and a few of her culinary students about her upcoming–and well-deserved–June retirement.

Chef Casas has been teaching culinary at ACIT for the past 25 years. Before ACIT, Casas also worked at several interesting places, including the Showboat Casino, the Atlantis Casino, the Ramada Inn, and Piercen DunnHill Bakery. Chef Casas has also held some not-so-typical jobs.

“I’ve worked as a substitute teacher. I’ve worked as a swim coach, both summer league and full year league, I’ve also worked at my uncle’s sweater factory,” said Casas. “Even as a little kid, my mother would say ‘oh you have off today? Let’s go into work at the factory.’ And we sat there and folded sweaters and bagged and boxed things. So I’ve always worked!”

When asked what made her want to pursue culinary, Casas confessed that she had wanted to be a PE teacher. She originally got a degree in health and physical education from Westchester University. When she applied for PE teaching positions, however, there were no jobs available. As a result, she turned toward a different career path.

“I took a job as a short order cook at Ramada, and decided ‘I can do this’,” said Casas. “So I went back to school at the Culinary Institute of America, and got another degree. Now I put both degrees together, my teaching degree and my culinary degree.”

The main thing she’ll miss? Her students. Over the past 25 years, Casas has had a huge impact on her students at ACIT. Much of that impact can be attributed to Chef’s sense of humor, abundance of patience, and compassion.

Culinary student Macy Fox said she likes how Chef “makes sure to incorporate everybody” in her teaching.

“My favorite part of Chef Casas’s class is walking in her classroom, seeing her, all happy, and saying ‘we’re going in the kitchen and we’re making a nice recipe’,” said sophomore Luis Figueroa. “She has so much patience with all her kids. She’s the best teacher, in my opinion.”

Carly Bernard, another sophomore in Chef Casas’s class had similar things to add. “My favorite part [about] Chef Casas is that she is very funny and caring.”

Discussing Chef’s retirement brought on a blend of tears and cheerful banter. It was obvious that the chef shares a special bond with her culinary students.

“They are a lot of fun,” said Cases. “No matter where I go, I seem to see them…It’s been wonderful.”

Chef looks forward to enjoying her retirement by keeping busy with her many interests outside of the kitchen.

“I have many hobbies,” said Casas. “I crochet, I read, I garden, and I’m taking French lessons as the kids know ‘cause I spend lunch time… usually doing French.”

To the students and colleagues who know Chef Casas, her many interests, goals, and experiences come as no surprise. Perhaps the best lesson learned from this teacher is her ability to take it all in stride.

When asked about her many skill sets, Chef replied, “Nothing in life is wasted.”