SARASOTA, Fla. — September 17, 2026 — Booker High School and Scratch Made Kitchen, 501(c)3 welcomed chefs James Veldhouse and Hillary Diamond from Gecko’s Grill & Pub for its Tornado Kitchen culinary program, a hands-on training lab designed to build real-world confidence, teamwork, and foundational kitchen skills with students.

The afternoon featured station-based cooking instruction and guided practice for both beginner and returning students. Students learned how to fillet and butcher a whole fish, worked through an orzo recipe, and made a delicious beurre blanc sauce, learning the “what” and “why” behind key steps while also practicing safe prep, organization, and timing in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Amy Leithauser, director of training, provided hospitality-focused messaging throughout the experience. “I really enjoyed spending one-on-one time with these young people and sharing insights from my experience in the hospitality world. It was rewarding to answer their questions and help them see the many opportunities this industry has to offer,” said Amy Leithauser, director of training at Gecko’s Grill & Pub. Leithauser also emphasized the value of connecting directly with students and giving them a realistic view of the opportunities available in hospitality.

“Thank you for another amazing lab—the students loved it. Chef Hillary did an incredible job guiding beginner cooks through an orzo recipe in just 15 minutes, and experiences like this show how meaningful hands-on learning can be for our students,” said Andrew Grossman, Managing Director of Scratch Made Kitchen.

The event wrapped up with students putting their newly learned skills into action—from ingredient prep to cooking execution—culminating in plated results that demonstrated focus, technique, and teamwork. Photos from the lab captured key moments, including fish preparation, classroom-style instruction, and finished plates.

Gecko’s Grill & Pub extends special thanks to Booker High School, Andrew Grossman, and Chef Gordon Gregory, who made the day possible.