06/16/2026
Recently, 19 students from the culinary, baking, and pastry programs at Valencia College had the opportunity to experience firsthand how a major food industry trade show comes together.
From June 6–9, our VC students participated in the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) trade show held here in Orlando, assisting chefs, business vendors, food suppliers, and show attendees.
Each student was paired with a different chef and vendor and worked alongside the WISL (What's In Store Live) team.
Throughout the event, students helped create snacks, food samples, and innovative product presentations using sponsor products. This hands-on experience exposed them to a different side of the culinary industry, including food styling, packaging, working with new equipment, and collaborating in a fast-paced trade show environment.
In addition to developing new skills, students gained valuable industry experience and made professional connections that could lead to future career opportunities.
The feedback from chefs, vendors, and attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Students were consistently praised for their professionalism, engagement, and outstanding work ethic throughout the event.
"As an instructor and industry professional with 46 years of experience, I also attended the show and witnessed for the first time the tremendous effort required to bring a food service exhibition together—from setup to ex*****on. It was an eye-opening experience and a reminder of the many opportunities that exist within the culinary field beyond traditional kitchen roles." - Valencia College culinary arts chair Steven Rujak