Celebrity Chef Sakari Smithwick whisked back to Farmingdale High School on November 5th, revisiting the kitchen where the first ingredients of his storied career were measured. Long before he was starring on shows like Hell's Kitchen and Chopped, working on his upcoming cookbook, and hosting his culinary podcast, Chef was one of Ms. Akeson's star students in the High School culinary department.
“Today’s visit to Farmingdale High School was a full-circle moment for me”, said Chef Sakari Smithwick. “It was in this very classroom that I first fell in love with cooking and realized it could become a lifelong passion and career for me.”
During his visit, Chef Sakari spent time engaging directly with students while also leading an exciting culinary demonstration where he flipped and served a perfect batch of gluten-free pancakes. Following the tasting, Chef openly discussed how his high school culinary experience was crucial in shaping his journey and laying the foundation for his multifaceted career in food, media, and publishing.
Chef Sakari Smithwick shared “As I prepare for the debut of my cookbook and memoir “Savor Your Journey”, I highlight my experience at Farmingdale High School and Ms. Akeson’s leadership. I will always hold Farmingdale High School close to my heart and thankful that I got to experience the school’s continued mission to nurture the next generation of chefs, dreamers, and entrepreneurs. I truly believe the key relationships such as these are the ultimate ingredients to achieving success.”
Chef Sakari Smithwick is a proud member of the Farmingdale High School Class of 2012.