Kelsey Guziel ’16 Applies Lessons from High Meadows to Culinary Career

Guziel credited High Meadows School’s inquiry-based philosophy and its progressive education model for her smooth transition through school and into the work force. “You can send your children anywhere to learn how to memorize facts, but High Meadows teaches them how to put everything into perspective and apply what they’ve learned to real life situations,” she said. “Students who come to HMS learn how the world works and have a smoother transition into the workforce.” 

Food has always been a part of Guziel’s life, but her earliest memories in the kitchen happened at High Meadows School. “High Meadows deepened my love for food,” she recalled. “In Elementary Years, we did a cooking class where parents came in and collaborated with us. We learned about different cultures, and each family made their favorite homemade meals for us to sample.”

The young chef was captivated during her fourth and fifth grade cooking experience, and the Middle Years cooking mini-course further solidified her desire to pursue a culinary career. “My teachers understood my desire to be a chef, and they used the mini-course as an avenue to fuel that passion.

In the classroom, Guziel formed bonds with Ms. Spinola and Mr. Stephens, who taught Spanish and science, respectively. Mr. Stephens fostered Guziel’s love of science and incorporated math, chemistry, stoichiometry, and even genealogy. The veteran educator tied each element into food science, capturing the young chef’s interests and helping her learn the basics of agriculture and how food affects different cultures. Ms. Spinola helped Guziel become fluent in Spanish, a language she uses daily.

Guziel also connected with the school’s 42 acre campus and its forests, woods, and rolling meadows. It’s no surprise that she spent ample time tending to the garden. “I remember being in the garden at a young age, and it came naturally,” she stated. “We cultivated our own fruits and vegetables like collard greens and following the growth throughout the year. The Environmental sustainability class had a real impact on me.”

As she honed her skills, Guziel took full advantage of High Meadows School’s inquiry-driven learning model. She learned to self-advocate with eloquence, and the age-old saying that there is no bad question rang true. “Everything we said could be formed into a teachable moment,” she said.” It was not about getting the right answer, instead my teachers focused on the learning process.”

While letter grades are not introduced until eighth grade at High Meadows, the challenges of that year shaped Guziel’s work ethic and independence. “Eighth grade was intense. I had to manage work-life balance, and it helped me become independent,” she reflected.

After graduating, Guziel enrolled in Pope High School’s Magnet Culinary Program where she was a member of the competition culinary team for four years. Following culinary school, which included a year abroad in Singapore, she landed in Music City, Nashville, Tenn. Today, she works for In Good Company, a female-owned catering company that serves 700 students at local Primrose Schools.

High Meadows School empowers students like Kelsey to discover their passions and prepares them for success in high school and beyond. Plan your visit today to learn about our educational philosophy and explore our beautiful 42-acre campus.