SM High School Chef Named HEAT Teacher of The Year
Landry’s Hotel Division and the San Luis Resort and Spa are proud to present the 2016 HEAT Teacher of the Year Award to Daniel Reinhard from San Marcos High School. Daniel has been the Culinary Arts Instructor at San Marcos High School for 3 years and has been in education for 14 years. He is a long time member of Hospitality Educators Association of Texas (HEAT) and a Past Board Member of the organization.
Daniel Reinhard was recognized on November 14 at HEAT’s Hospitality in Paradise Awards Dinner for his dedication and excellence in Hospitality Education. He was nominated by his CTE director Mike Doyle. Mr. Doyle wrote that Mr. Reinhard brings several years of teaching as well as business and industry experience to their students. He stated that Mr. Reinhard does a fantastic job creating real life, hands-on learning experiences for the students and that he was instrumental in San Marcos High School culinary program tying directly in with Embassy Suites San Marcos to provide a business and industry learning experience for their students.
The Executive Sous Chef Robert Felios from the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Marcos recommended Mr. Reinhard for the award noting that everyday he sees Mr. Reinhard instruct his students on the importance of working hard and believing in themselves. He added that Mr. Reinhard works side by side with his students in the kitchen at the Embassy Suites and he is always encouraging them and asking them questions about the lesson they went over in class. Chef Felios went on to say that Mr. Reinhard and his students also helped them secure “Best Dessert” out of over 15 competing restaurants in the 7th annual “Taste of Hays County” this year. Chef Felios conclude his recommendation by saying there was not a day that goes by that he didn’t thank Mr. Reinhard, his program, and the students for helping them at the Embassy Suites!
Bunny Denton, HEAT’s Association Manager, commented that Daniel Reinhard has been a dedicated HEAT member and volunteered countless hours while serving on the HEAT Board for 7 years.
Mr. Reinhard remarked that what makes this job so rewarding is hearing from former students who write or call to just say thank you to him for being a positive influence in their lives. Or when he has former students complete their education at Johnson & Wales or the Culinary Institute of America and they feel that they were prepared for their classes at these prestigious institutions because of the lessons they were taught through his program.
Hospitality Educators Association of Texas is honored to have Daniel Reinhard as a member and is delighted to honor him as their 2016 Teacher of the Year. His application was chosen as the winner by a committee comprised of two retired hospitality educators, one industry representative, and one post secondary representative. As the winner he receives a prize package from the San Luis Resort and Spa. It includes among other things a two-night stay at the resort on Galveston Island with breakfast for two each morning and dinner for two one night at the Grotto. He also receives a complimentary registration fee to HEAT’s 2017 conference where he will have the honor of spotlighting his students and program at the Annual Awards Dinner, and he will help introduce the 2017 HEAT Teacher of the Year.
