The kitchen isn't just a classroom for Bryan Gilroy, it’s a 100% meritocracy. After 30 years in the restaurant industry, Chef Gilroy traded the high-pressure world of professional kitchens for the culinary labs at Westminster High School. But he didn't leave the standards behind.

By teaching his students the art of mise en place, having everything in its place, he isn’t just preparing them to cook; he’s preparing them for life. In a space where "sharp things and hot things" require constant communication, his students learn that honesty, preparation, and mutual respect are the true ingredients for success. Whether they are catering for 150 people or studying for their ServeSafe Manager certificate, Gilroy’s students are learning that with hard work, they can work their way all the way to the top.

"I’d like to be the little spark that maybe makes one of the ordinary people do something extraordinary. When you believe in yourself... it’s like our own superpower to make it true" Gilroy says.