About the Culinary Program
Rainshadow is in its second year of operation at its new facility on 121 Vesta Street in Reno. Since the relocation, the school has implemented a culinary arts program with three different classes: introduction to culinary arts, advanced culinary arts, and baking. Students in these classes prepare food for the Rainshadow Cafe, as well as student lunches. The program benefits all students, and uses professionals in the field to instruct. Current instructors are Sandy Marcell, Dennis Castillo. In addition, guest chefs are often invited to do presentations for students.
Sandy Marcell
Sandy Marcell is our Senior Culinary Arts Instructor. Sandy's responsibilities include: teaching an introduction to ServSafe and teaching our students to read and successfully execute recipes and to understand cooking terms and measurements. Sandy works with our students providing individual attention which helps each student progress through the program. She also co-teaches Baking with Dennis Castillo.
Sandy is uniquely qualified, for she has both restaurant experience and she is a teacher.
Sandy is uniquely qualified, for she has both restaurant experience and she is a teacher.
Dennis Castillo
Dennis Castillo is our Pastry Chef. Dennis works with students who have passed Introduction to Culinary and want to learn to bake. This class offers our students a comprehensive hands-on experience of the components of baking. This class is small in size, which ensures individual attention.
Dennis is a native Nevadan who started baking at the age of 17. He has been baking for 28 years. Today, Dennis is the lead pastry chef for Atlantis Hotel & Casino.
Dennis is a native Nevadan who started baking at the age of 17. He has been baking for 28 years. Today, Dennis is the lead pastry chef for Atlantis Hotel & Casino.
