The Abington School Board honored an aspiring chef at yesterday’s school board meeting. Not just any chef … this one happens to be a senior at Abington High School as well as a culinary student at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology.

Jillian Plum, of Abington, was honored as Eastern’s Student of the Month for October. After receiving a circular plaque, she thanked the faculty of both Eastern and Abington, and Abington Superintendent Amy Sichel. 

“From elementary school up, I have always had people supporting me,” Plum said during the school board meeting. “Teachers, guidance counselors, principals — all of them. Without you guys, and my parents, of course, I would not be standing in front of you today.”

Plum is in the second year of Eastern’s culinary arts program.

Abington Senior High School Principal Jeffrey Fecher introduced Plum. Fecher said Plum has an “A” average at Eastern and has straight A’s at the high school. He went on to say that Plum is a statewide officer in SkillsUSA; is a Key Club member; is a Junior Member of the American Culinary Federation, and attends its monthly meetings; and is captain of the varsity cheerleading team.

Plum also works as a server at an Italian restaurant and as a cake decorator at Weinrich’s Bakery in Willow Grove.

Following graduation, Plum is looking to study hospitality management — and then open up a restaurant of her own in Philadelphia.

Following the meeting, Plum said she’s been cooking for about four years.

“It’s just a passion of mine,” she said.

As for that restaurant, Plum said that she’s something of an “Italian food person,” though her mother stepped in and said, “But everyone loves your crab cakes.”

Sichel had high praise for Plum, saying during the meeting, “I gotta tell you, Rachael Ray had better watch out.”

Plum said, "Well, I can cook a meal in 15 minutes, not 30.”