Success Stories - Food Services

Although there are many successes to share, please enjoy these and consider how these experiences can transfer into successes for your business.

Company: The Original Smith Island Cake Company

12741 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842
www.originalsmithislandcakeco.com
General Manager: Rebecca Carbaugh
Bakery Manager: Monique Rossignol

Employee: Michael Hook

Job title: Baker/Prep Assistant

Job Description:
• Prepare and assemble cakes
• Assemble boxes and labels for cake shipments
• Wash dishes
• Perform general custodial duties

Accommodation needed: Written schedule and instructions | Verbal Cues

Length of employment: Began volunteer work through the Worcester Technical High School Community Work Experience program, March 2010 – June 2010 | Hired independently, June 2010

Promotion or advancement: Michael began as a volunteer through the WTHS CWE program and worked for 2 1/2 months. After walking across stage with his graduating class, Michael was officially hired.

Comments: Michael Hook is a 19 year old young man living in Ocean Pines, Maryland. He attends Stephen Decatur High School and has been working in the Community Work Experience program at the Worcester Technical High School throughout the year. This program is designed for students with disabilities who will receive a high school certificate of completion and have the opportunity to stay in school until the age of 21. The program focuses on the development of career and employability skills as students take classes in a variety of technical areas (Culinary Arts, Graphic Arts, Construction Trades, Child Care, Agricultural Science, etc.) and are matched with a job experience in the corresponding field. In this case, Michael takes classes in culinary arts and is working in the culinary field at the Original Smith Island Cake Co.

We met Rebecca Carbaugh and Monique Rossignol of the OSICC at an Ocean City Chamber of Commerce as we were presenting our program to the business community. They became one of our job sites within two weeks. Michael was a great match for this job opportunity and jumped right in. As demonstrated by the following words from the kitchen manager, Monique, it has been an extremely successful venture for Michael, the school, the company, and the community:

“This was our first time being involved with this program and it was a great experience. I didn't know what to expect at first but it was our pleasure to have Michael as part of our team at the bakery. In the beginning, Michael didn't really seem to be interested in working in the bakery. However, after a week or two, Michael became more comfortable and confident in his new work environment. He was very helpful in doing such things as greasing cake pans, dispensing batter, taking the cakes out of pan, wrapping cakes, helping with dishes, and his favorite thing…putting together the cake boxes and putting the stickers on. After a while, Michael became more and more excited to be there and do his job. He would even help out his classmate with such tasks. Michael is also quite a character and always seems to make people smile. He is a very hard worker and I'm glad we will have him as part of our team this summer. I was very happy that our establishment could be a part of this wonderful program. I feel like I've learned so much from this personally and professionally. As we see Michael grow and develop into a citizen in the workforce, I wish him continued success and for the opportunity to welcome more students in the future. I was impressed with the program as a whole. It's outstanding for the students to have job placement and job coaches while they are in school, and as they make the transition into the workforce.”