Sarah Hudak, a Culinary Arts student and Boyertown senior, is already making her mark in the culinary world as the head cook at Coventry Parlor at Laurel Locks—while still in high school. Her journey began with a passion for baking that started at a young age. “Since I was little, I baked with my mom. I love baking cakes, but what got me into the culinary aspect is BCTC,” she shared.
Sarah first heard about BCTC when representatives visited her class at Pine Forge Elementary. From that moment on, she dreamed of attending BCTC. Though she initially considered welding, her love for cake decorating ultimately led her to the Culinary Arts program. “I always knew I loved decorating cakes. The first cake I decorated on my own was when I was five years old. I surprised my mom with a not good-looking birthday cake, but she loved it. Ever since then I decorated my mom, and I still love decorating. Anytime I have free time, I bake something and decorate it.”
She put those talents on display last year at the SkillsUSA District cake decorating competition, earning 3rd place. Sarah plans to return to the competition in December 2025 with even more experience and confidence.
Sarah started working this summer as the head cook at Coventry Parlor at Laurel Locks, and at the beginning of the school year, she officially began her co-op there. “I knew I wanted to work, make money, and have fun. At my job, I have nothing but fun. I love my job and all the people at work,” she said. She works the busy breakfast and lunch shifts Tuesday through Sunday and attends BCTC on Monday mornings. Although she misses seeing her classmates daily, she’s grateful for her Mondays on campus.
In addition to juggling her co-op, Sarah is taking online classes through Boyertown High School and stays active in extracurriculars. She played tennis this fall and will compete on the swimming team this winter.
Her role at Coventry Parlor involves maintaining the restaurant and preparing all baked goods. “The breakfast shift can get very busy. I can have six orders at a time. I must get them out quickly but still maintain the quality of a homecooked meal.” She quickly learned just how fast-paced a from-scratch kitchen can be. “You get an order and that person is hungry. It is not fast food, but I had to learn to cook fast. Everything is homemade including the sourdough.”
Beyond her co-op, SH owns a small baking business, where she creates custom birthdays, showers, and wedding cakes. She also works as a party princess, dressing up as characters such as princesses, Bluey, and even the Grinch for children’s events. “Last year, I was the Grinch over the holiday season at the Colebrook Railroad,” she said with a smile.
Sarah’s ambitions don’t stop there. A lover of travel, she reached out to Crystal, an ultra-luxury cruise line, about potential opportunities. One month after her high school graduation, she will begin a three-year contract with the company. Her first year will focus on training, followed by a year in a baking position and a third year in a culinary role. Transitioning from a small kitchen to a cruise ship galley will be a new challenge, but Sarah feels prepared. “At BCTC I got to work in an open kitchen, which will be similar to the cruise ship kitchen.”
Her long-term goal is to save money during her contract and eventually return home to open her own bakery.
Sarah encourages younger students to take advantage of opportunities at BCTC. “Don’t be scared to apply to BCTC. I was scared at first because I thought I would lose all my friends and not be involved at school. Focus on your goals. I promise it will lead to something great.”
With talent, determination, and a heart for hospitality, Sarah is already proving that great things happen when you follow your passion.