Culinary professor one of 11 to participate in exam
By Sydney Portilla-Diggs
Campus Correspondent
Collin College’s Hospitality & Foodservice Management Lab Coordinator Sheila Kao was invited to be one of the 11 people to participate in reviewing the Chinese Language ServSafe Exam March 8 and 9 at National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) in downtown Chicago.
Participants were chosen because of their diverse backgrounds. However, most participants were educators in food service management from different parts of the United States. The NRAEF is the premiere provider of educational resources, materials and programs that address attracting, developing and retaining the food service industry’s workforce.
Currently, the ServSafe exams are offered in three languages in the United States: English, Spanish and Chinese. The ServSafe program provides training for critical food safety practices in food service establishments. Kao and the other participants worked in groups to review the translation of the Chinese version of the tests to ensure the integrity and correctness.
And Sheila Kao is definitely up for the challenge. Kao grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. Most of her family immigrated to California. Because of this fact, Kao does not go back to Taiwan often. One of the biggest challenges she faces is raising her children without the help of her family in an adopted country and trying to find a balance between Chinese and American culture. Kao says she does not have personal heroes or mentors.
“I greatly admire people who are creative, honest and giving. (For personal inspiration) listening to music always transforms my mood and uplifts my soul. My favorite indulgence is traveling solo, which enables self-awareness and new discoveries," she said.
Kao received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the National Taiwan University. She has completed graduate studies at The University of Texas at Dallas in finance. Kao has been living in Texas since 1978. Kao has lived in Plano since 1981 with her husband Kris, their son Stephen and daughter Aileen.
Sheila Kao came to Collin College as a student in the culinary arts program in 2002.
According to Kao, “I had been daydreaming about taking cooking classes for years. One day I read an article in Plano Profile about Collin’s culinary program, and I called the program director Karen Musa…It started out as a couple of classes for personal enrichment, but it was so much fun, I just could not resist finishing the whole certification program.”
Kao became a student assistant to Collin College’s chef during her last semester. After working as a part-time coordinator, Kao was hired as a full-time coordinator in 2004. Kao works closely with the culinary instructors by determining course materials, assisting in special projects and keeping account of the classroom budget. In addition to purchasing food and supplies for all the culinary classes, Kao is an advisor for the Hospitality and Culinary Student Association.
“I have always believed in the value and the importance of community colleges so I feel very comfortable working in this environment,” Kao said.
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