BHHS Culinary Students Work Alongside Chef Giacomino Drago at Mayoral Installation

Beverly Hills High School Culinary Arts students gained a rare hands-on learning opportunity during the City of Beverly Hills Mayoral Installation, working alongside acclaimed chef Giacomino Drago as part of the civic event.

Select advanced Culinary Arts students stepped outside the classroom and into a professional culinary environment, assisting with food preparation and service while learning directly from Drago, one of Beverly Hills' most recognized names in Italian dining.

Drago, known for his celebrated restaurants and longstanding presence in the Southern California culinary world, gave students direct exposure to the pace, standards and expectations of high-level food service.

The experience reflected the growing strength of Beverly Hills Unified School District's Career Technical Education pathways, which are designed to connect classroom instruction with practical, real-world opportunities.

For students, the mayoral installation offered more than a ceremonial setting. It placed them inside a working culinary operation tied to one of the city's most visible civic events, giving them a chance to build confidence while applying the skills they have developed at Beverly Hills High School.

“This is what meaningful learning looks like,” said BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “Our students are engaging with professionals, building confidence, and developing skills that will serve them well beyond high school.”

BHUSD credited the opportunity to a partnership between the district, the City of Beverly Hills and Chef Giacomino Drago, whose participation helped turn the event into a practical learning experience for students.

The district said experiences like this demonstrate its continued focus on Educational Excellence and on preparing students for success beyond the classroom through career-connected learning.