Caudell Lab Is Training Ground for Rich Products

Representatives from Buffalo-based Rich Products Corporation were so impressed by a recent visit to Buffalo State’s culinary lab in Caudell Hall that they’ve decided to use it as a training facility.

The company had been using the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute when it heard about the new lab kitchen that opened in 2017 as part of Caudell’s $22 million renovation project. 

“After giving the people from Rich’s a tour, they decided they wanted to switch to our kitchen,” said Donald Schmitter, Buffalo State culinary arts instructor and lab coordinator. “They’ll use the lab for training their chefs and scientists, as well as marketing employees.”

Some of Rich’s employees, who have backgrounds in the sciences, will receive training to help them in their professional development, which involves the science of food production. They will spend three days in the culinary lab, August 19–21, training in food basics, and will return for two to three days each month during the fall 2019 semester.

The lab fees Rich Products is paying the college will go toward study-abroad costs for hospitality and tourism students and bringing celebrity guests to campus.

“We are using this partnership as a springboard for a further relationship with Rich’s,” Schmitter said. “This would include taking our students to tour their facility and having professionals from different departments within Rich’s speak with our students about the opportunities the hospitality industry has to offer.”