Big-name food shows like "Top Chef” have put Wisconsin’s culinary talent on the map, sparking a surge of interested students at Fox Valley Technical College in the Culinary Arts program. To highlight this trend, Spectrum News 1 produced a story about the topic and asked Chef Mike Balistrieri, department chair and instructor of Culinary Arts at FVTC, and students for their thoughts.  

One of those students is Grace Schmechel, who enrolled at FVTC with a deep-rooted love for food. Her passion for cooking was also shaped by her childhood love for food television. 

“I enjoyed watching “MasterChef Junior” growing up. That was a lot of fun,” Grace explains.  

Cooking shows have long been a source of inspiration for aspiring chefs, and Grace isn’t the only FVTC student influenced by them. 

The Culinary Arts program has experienced significant growth, a trend that Chef Mike attributes to Wisconsin’s food scene. 

Read the full Spectrum News 1 article to learn more about the big-name food shows that have inspired students:  

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FVTC In the News:

Spectrum News1: Food shows filmed in Wisconsin pique interest in the culinary arts 

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