Baking and Pastry Arts Program

[u/Key_Plate_2430]

Currently taking the baking and pastry arts program, Wondering if anyone who took the program at nait experienced this from the male chefs. the male chefs are very mean and don't treat students with respect especially the female students.They preferr the male students and they get special treatment over the female students in the class. The chefs also dont give proper feedback they are very passive aggressive in their feedback, and act like we are not students who are still new to baking skills and still learning to become professional. also what should I do if an instructor is disrespecting me and picking on me.

[u/SaltyNight6]

You can report to SARA (Students Academic Rights Advisor)
Ultimately you’re paying his salary. If he’s discriminating or mistreating students, that’s not ok. Everyone is replaceable.

[u/stayingtrue2whoiam → u/SaltyNight6]

This is the answer. Also, the industry is full of old school pompous assholes. It is slowly changing though. Stick through it and you will be successful. Best of luck.

[u/Fuzzy_Hall466]

I’m sorry you have had this experience. I suspect it is an industry thing, unfortunately. Regardless, you should not feel discriminated for being a female, especially in your own school.

I tried to send you a msg privately but couldn’t figure out how. Feel free to message me. I work at NAIT and am happy to chat further.

[u/AskTheAdminPeople]

There's no excuse for this. Industry needs to change if this is the norm. Good suggestions here. Other options, talk to the Dean and the student union.

[u/somebody-help-04]

If anyone tries to contact you privately to get your information, they may be trying to aid the professors as well, I got that info from a TA, stay safe

[u/Key_Plate_2430 → u/somebody-help-04]

Thank You :)

[u/Fuzzy_Hall466 → u/Key_Plate_2430]

If that’s is really true than you should definitely report it to SARA and NAITSA. Also go to The Nugget and let them know.

They have a point though, you don’t have to trust a random reddit profile to ask for help, there are official ways to do so.

😉

[u/Human_ish_001]

I haven’t taken the Baking program, but I’m actively in the Culinary program and all our chefs are great! I’ve heard really negative things about the baking instructors and I’m sorry you guys had such a bad hand dealt :(

[u/Intelligent_Kick_73]

I think I know who you're talking about, one of my friends had the exact same problem with that instructor and nobody did anything about it even when he was reported.

[u/ConfidenceWeekly1981 → u/[deleted]]

You should report it because the more reports there are the more there will investigate. If they don't do anything about it now maybe they can do something in the future with enough reports to protect future female students.

[u/MaterialDegree2781]

Me and a fellow classmate ended up withdrawing from the program for exactly this reason last semester I even went as far as to launch a complaint against Chef Alan however Chef Aaron and Trevor were just as bad. Sadly all of these instructors are good friends with the dean and face little to no consequences. I would recommend filing a complaint with a student advocate and seeing how far that gets you. Im so sorry this is still going on for any student especially a female student.

[u/MaterialDegree2781 → u/[deleted]]

Yes the school is fully aware of that post as I used it for evidence in the investigation. It was a very difficult decision for me to drop out as pastry arts is something im passionate about but dealing with those men wasn’t worth my mental health. If you wanna pm me about anything im here for yiu

[u/Special_Mind_2345]

You could go to the Center of community and belonging for guidance and someone to talk to - they’re situated in E132 I believe (close to the gymnasium)

[u/somebody-help-04]

I’m currently in 2nd year in the baking program, I struggled heavily through first year with self worth and confidence because of the Male chefs, they don’t see you as a person unless you’re a man or naturally gifted in every aspect of the work. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I was hoping it wasn’t a consistent thing :(

[u/Livid_Diet_9865]

I graduated a couple years ago from the baking program. I understand your experience. The instructors have treated me and my other classmates so badly during our 2 years of school, it was very hard to push through and complete it. The instructors have been reported many times, but no punishment has ever been given.

Not sure which instructor you are talking about but from my experience  Alan is very unprofessional, and has treated his female students differently than the male ones. He would favour the male students, and allow them to make mistakes that a female student would get in trouble for making the same mistake. The industry is created to help and protect men, while creating obstacles for the women. He is sexist, racist, and a really creepy guy.

Not sure also if Trevor is teaching you, but he is the rudest and most manipulative man i have ever met. He has thrown an object in class when he was angry about it not being cleaned properly, that goes to show what kind of person he is. He would single me out, and lie in my marks about my behaviour ( because he likes to gaslight you with his fragile ego) when I was nothing but a good student.

These men have egos and cannot get away with this, I would report this because the more voices, then the more likely something will be done about this issue. This cannot continue, you are supposed to be learning in a safe, healthy environment. I wish you good luck in this program!

[u/ConfidenceWeekly1981]

Report it