Former FHS Culinary Teacher Finds Success at New School

Many agree that Dennis Dorio is magic in the kitchen. But it’s not so much about the food that comes out of the kitchen when Dorio is working, but the self-confidence, hope and sense of belonging that he instills in his students.

Dorio is a culinary arts teacher. For 24 years he built and ran the culinary program at Farmington High School, but after budget reductions cut his program, he’s had to start again.

Dorio said he was fortunate to find a job quickly after the Farmington cuts, and he was in just the right place at the right time: East Haven High School, where a culinary program had dwindled to almost nothing, was also seeking to start over.

It was a perfect match, Dorio said.

“We instantly clicked and we’re still clicking.”

East Haven High School Principal Steven Anderson agreed — actually most of the school did when a committee of teachers and administrators approved a student nomination to make Dorio teacher of the month.

“We had several nominations from students and one student wrote a long letter explaining how the chef teaches kids not only about cooking but how to live and how to treat others with love and respect,” Anderson said. “It was very moving and given the student, it was all the more moving.”

When the leadership team met to discuss the nominations, Anderson said the decision was unanimous.

“He’s moved the mission of the school forward just by virtue of who he is and the way he does his job,” Anderson said. “He’s that kind of person and he’s just the same person with everybody, but he’s a really fine person.”

Dorio said he’s grateful for the appreciation – the special parking space, a plaque in the main hallway, and the popularity of the program. Of the school's approximately 950 students, more than 200 kids have asked to participate in culinary classes next year. That’s up from almost none, Anderson said.

“I have a boy — a special kid — and he’s just changed his whole life because he comes with me on a Saturday and he’ll work with me and it’s just made him excited about school,” Dorio said. “It changes some kids lives."

But despite his success, Dorio, who lives in Farmington, said he misses his friends here and is sad for the students who have missed out.

“My heart will always bleed maroon. This has been very difficult for me but it has been very nice knowing that people do care,” he said.

People around town ask after him and show their support all the time, Dorio said. On his birthday, which recently passed, Dorio said he was surprised to receive more than 250 messages from former students wishing him well.

“It’s been a very eventful year for me – going from nothing to having a job and medical insurance and all of that stuff. I am thrilled to death with it.”