Hey Foodies! I’m Wes Slawson and I'm finally in my Dream Job of teaching others how to cook well. If I look familiar, I've taught Foods classes at Big Foot since 2019 and substitute taught at Big Foot for two years before that. Perhaps you know me because my family has lived in this area for 23 years and my sons graduated from BFHS. I also teach adult cooking classes through the Rec. Department.

I earned my Wisconsin teachers license through years of working in restaurants, hotels and resorts. My bachelor’s degree is from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I also have a drawer full of certificates and licenses in everything from crisis counseling to pyrotechnics.

I developed my chef and managing skills at numerous restaurants through the years, from chain restaurants to table-side cooking in a gourmet French restaurant. My favorite cooking moment was when I directed 275 volunteers to set a new Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Fish Fry! For 10 years I directed “Survivor” team building camps for teens, based on the reality tv show.

With over 40 years of experience in working with high school students, I strive to actively engage every student – helping each to gain confidence to achieve big dreams. I build working relationships with area restaurants and resorts and help interested students get into the industry.

I strive to meet students where they are at and work forward with them into new experiences and deeper understandings.

During most school years, for the Fall semester, I will be teaching and introductory cooking course, Intro. to Culinary Arts, and our most advanced course, Principles of Baking.

Students are required to take at Intro to Culinary Arts (Foods 1) and earn a grade of "C" or higher in order to register for additional cooking courses. This intro course may be waived in certain circumstances.

Principles of Baking. is an amazing, advanced course where:

1) students can earn FOUR free technical college credits for FREE through Gateway Technical College. Plus,

2) students will earn a full 1 credit towards graduation. No other course offered at Big Foot gives a full credit for a semester course!

During most years, for the Spring semester, I teach a sequel to the intro course, Cooking Skills Academy (Foods 2) and Global Foods classes.

John Karabas has been at Big Foot High School since 2019 in various roles, co-teaching English, History and Math classes, Case manager for Special Education and serving as Big Foot's Work Experience Coordinator. He's also coached JV Golf & JV Basketball.

He designed and owned four fast-casual pizza establishments in Chicago for 15 years. Locally, he owned Pie High Pizza in Fontana for 10 years. He has rich experience in restaurant: marketing, public relations, customer service and so much more!

And as far as local resort experience, He has worked 10 years with Geneva National Resort, serving as Assistant to Banquet Chef, Special Events, Player Services and Turf Smokehouse!

We are very excited to benefit from his extensive experiences in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry!

Mr. Karabas will be teaching:

Principles of Hospitality. Our region is rich in restaurants, resorts and hotels, so this course is all about exploring this industry with lots of field trips and guest speakers!

Intro. to Culinary Arts

Cooking Skills Academy

Introduction to Service in the Hospitality Field