Strengthening Montenegro & United States ties

Santa Barbara City College culinary student, Landen Ghen, arrived in Montenegro this month to work at the prestigious Regent Porto Montenegro for the summer of 2023.  When approached by the Santa Barbara – Kotor Sister City Committee and professor, Stephan Rapp, of the Culinary Arts department of Santa Barbara City College, Landen embraced the opportunity to work for the summer at the Regent Port Montenegro.  Landen is a first-year culinary student, having graduated from Ventura College, with an Associates of Art degree in 2015.  Before pursuing his dream of becoming a “chef” he worked in the construction field.  He was inspired by his grandfather who told him, “You have the makings of a chef.  If not in this life?  Which life?”  To which Landen quit construction and started working at restaurant Gotetsu – Kushiyaki and Sake House in Ventura and enrolled in SBCC’s Culinary Arts program.  Landen is energetic, enthusiastic, and eager to learn all that he can while working at the Regent Porto Montenegro.  

Landen Ghen follows in the footsteps of three previous Santa Barbara City College culinary students who worked and interned at the Regent Porto Montenegro; Alberto Santamaria, summer 2022, Ava Engle, summer 2021, and Marcelo Chacon, summer 2021.  The Santa Barbara – Kotor Sister City Committee is pleased to have established a meaningful culinary exchange program between our Sister Cities that touches the lives of young people in the culinary and hospitality field.