Originally from Jackson, Michigan, Kira is a home school graduate and has three younger siblings, two sisters and a brother. She has many interests: gardening and farming, cooking, sewing, reading, and hiking. She enrolled at LCCS to learn as many different ways to cook as possible; she likes the program for its creativity in use of farm-fresh food. Her dream is to own a farm and restaurant with her sister. When she finishes at LCCS, she hopes to study business and environmental science.

After a year working at the Clarkston Bar & Kitchen in Clarkston, Michigan, and then a summer at Mackinac Island Bike Barn, Lukas enrolled at LCCS because “culinary is extremely engaging and the only subject that really holds my interest. And, of course, I love to eat!” He noted that its “great instructors, ingredients, and class involvement” make the program for him. “I’m just glad I’m here in the first place.” His goal is to gain a fair understanding of ALL culinary techniques. He has two sisters and two brothers, and likes video games, music, and going to shows.

Kelley is our poster girl for Motivation & Dedication, then add Determination & Perseverance; and she no doubt is a candidate for Guinness Book of Records. Since her first day at LCCS, she has faced a four-hour commute of over 200 miles, and she has never missed a day! Originally from Ohio, she has worked in the food industry as a waitress for 27 years, becoming a Yooper 24 years ago. She and her husband Mike have two sons, ages 25 and 14. When asked what she liked best about the program, “I love all of it!” Her goal is to someday run a restaurant.

Ken is from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and his background has been in cooking and serving, but he currently works as a corrections officer; thus, like classmate Kelley, he has a more-than challenging daily schedule, that includes his wife Lexus, daughter Athena, son Roman, and four dogs! He enrolled at LCCS to learn more about culinary arts and be able to share it with his family. He compliments the school for its class atmosphere and making him “feel at home”. He is toying with the idea of opening a food truck one day.

Gabe can proudly say that he is a native of Mackinac Island. He graduated from Mackinac Island Public School and has worked at the Island House Hotel since 2014, where his father, Phil Kromer, is Executive Chef. He, too, wants to become an executive chef. His interests include nutrition and physical fitness, and he chose LCCS not only because of its reputation and proximity but because “so much of what we work with comes from local farms”. Following graduation, he would like to work on a brigade de cuisine system in New York City, which its finest restaurants maintain. He has a 13-year-old brother who just might follow in his footsteps.

Tia spent two years at Boise State University in Idaho, studying accounting and finance, and has lived in Phoenix, Boston, and then Chateaugay, New York, which has much in common with Les Cheneaux. Her life-style and interests reveal why she chose LCCS…baking, hiking, reading, painting…and hammocking! “I’m really big in low-waste living and minimalism. LCCS was the only program I found that was farm-to-table and had a sustainable aspect to it. I like knowing where the food we’re cooking is sourced from.” She has six brothers, which also may explain a lot! Her future plans should be no surprise…traveling around the country in a sustainable van!

In summing up the reasons she chose LCCS, Margaret said that this was where she wanted to start “the second chapter of my life. I love to cook, bake, and entertain, and I enjoy the energy of young people.” The latter is obvious in that her first chapter included 26 years of working as a para pro (teacher’s assistant) and home daycare provider. She has two grown children, two granddaughters ages 2 and 4, and a brand-new grandson. She is a native of St. Ignace, Michigan, and her hobbies include golf, bowling, playing games, and growing vegetables and flowers. LCCS’s focus on healthy food through its farm-to-table mission is its primary appeal to her. She is looking forward to partnering in a food-related industry, one day.

A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Joe graduated from Sault Area High School and has worked with or around food ever since. He worked the opening of the Sault’s Meijer store and then in its Deli for two years. He has four brothers and three sisters, and lives with his girlfriend Shelby and their two cats. He plays the guitar, loves listening to music and playing video games. He enrolled at LCCS to enhance his culinary talents. He says that the program’s “one-on-one learning approach leads to improving faster”. He is not sure what lies ahead but possibly managing or owning a restaurant.