Before graduating from Williamsville South High School and Erie 1 BOCES culinary program in June, Anthony (AJ) Glieco won Johnson & Wales' National Student Chef of the Year award. Not only did he secure $81,500 in scholarships to the university but he also won an exciting trip to the Food Network to meet with celebrity chef Tyler Florence.

AJ spent a day in mid-October on a special VIP tour of the Food Network. Then he enjoyed a late lunch with celebrity chef Tyler Florence. After lunch it was back to the studio to witness the shooting of Tyler Florence's show.

Chef Tyler Florence is a 1994 graduate of Johnson & Wales University. AJ is currently a freshman at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Prior to college, AJ was a culinary student at Erie 1 BOCES Harkness Career & Technical Center studying under the direction of Chef Scott Steiner.

Erie 1 BOCES provides some of the most exciting two-year educational opportunities available as part of public education to high school students in western New York. More than 25 career and technical education programs are offered to 11th and 12th graders at three state-of-the-art career and technical centers: Harkness, Kenton, and Potter as well as various off-site locations. Career and technical education programs are designed to provide a hands-on experience that reflects the real world of work in career fields of student interest. High school students interested in learning more about these programs should speak with their school counselor or visit www.e1b.org.