Jill Lanpher
Barre, VT
AOS Baking and Pastry 2006
Since graduating NECI I have been the front of the house manager at La Brioche, one of our fine NECI outlets. I took advantage of the opportunity to get back into the kitchen and became a Baking and Pastry Rounds Instructor in 2007 and now am teaching the Mod 3 Cakes and Tarts class.
Remembering NECI: I came to NECI, an older student but never once did I feel out of place. Walking through NECI's door was overwhelming but in a very good way. Everywhere I looked I had instructors that took the time to get to know me. They taught me that you not only have to have passion for your chosen profession, but you need to have a vested interest in the people that are standing beside you.
I did both of my internships in Vermont, and learned so much from both of them. It took me out of my comfort zone, but NECI prepared me for those journeys. Vermont is a wonderful place for the kind of teaching and learning environment that NECI offers. I will only say that coming to NECI teaches you so much more than what is written in the brochure or on the website. You make relationships and connections that will last a lifetime. Coming to NECI makes you feel as if you are a part of something special. You can not put a price on the people you meet, the lessons you learn and the personal growth, no matter what your age or experience.