At Sydenham we offer the Hospitality & Tourism SHSM in a unique combination of classroom and cafeteria experience in our very own Eagles Nest Cafe. Students will acquire and demonstrate skills in safe operation of industry equipment, food handling, safety sanitation, menu creation, food sales, cash handling and growing some of their own produce with hydroponic growing towers. Students have the opportunity to create daily specials for the Eagles Nest Cafe which is run for students by students. The program also offers in house and community catering services, offering another opportunity for students to learn professional skills and work habits. The students who enroll in the program will receive certifications in a wide range of professional development and industry standards. Students will also have the opportunity to work alongside the Green Industries and Communications Technology classes for other school wide initiatives.

This Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program has been designed to give students the required skills and experiences needed to be successful in the hospitality/culinary industry. Successful students will be prepared to directly enter the workforce, begin an apprenticeship, enter community college or head to university. Students will be eligible to graduate with a Specialist High Skills Major and could receive advanced standing in the 2-year apprenticeship program at St. Lawrence College. Students will be exposed to a variety of classroom experiences, competitions, community events, field trips, and co-op placements that will prepare them for a post-secondary destination. Students will interact with guest Chefs from our community who demonstrate cooking techniques and discuss the pathway to become a chef. The Industrial Kitchen Classroom provides a unique experience designed to develop culinary competency daily. Students will learn to plan and prepare meals that are served in the school operated cafeteria. The Community Lunch project allows students to interact with their customers and is a practical way to understand all roles that are involved to create a successful business. Co-op hours inside a professional kitchen enable the student to develop the basic understanding of food preparation and presentation skills as well as become more employable in the Hospitality Industry. Students will spend 1 week at St. Lawrence College, which allows students to leap ahead in college through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

We offer the Hospitality & Tourism SHSM in our state of the art commercial kitchen, equipped with industrial equipment found in the restaurant/hotel industry. Students will acquire and demonstrate safe operation of industry equipment, food handling & safety sanitation. Students will acquire the fundamentals & advance cooking techniques as well as a solid foundation of baking skills, along with acquiring industry specific certifications. Also unique to Bayridge is our Bayridge Harvest Garden. Students have the opportunity to start seeds from our indoor garden, divide, propagate, plant and care for the vegetable & herbs. In the fall we use the harvest for cooking projects.