“Getting into the kitchen made it real. I saw everything happening around us and thought, yeah, this is really happening. Don’t freak out, just stay calm.”
Lexi Segovia, a hospitality management major at The Collins College of Hospitality Management (CCHM), reflected on the energy and pressure of stepping into production inside alongside her classmates.
A class assignment became a true culinary operation when a student team at CCHM brought its concept, Passport Wraps, to life at the dining facility. Guided by Professor Kelly Min, Ph.D., the project asked students to design a street food experience for a campus client. 
Students Miles Henry, Wendy Miranda, Nirali Patel, Lexi Segovia and Jenny Yun built Passport Wraps from the ground up, starting with what they saw around them: community.
“We wanted to create something that fit the diversity on campus,” Patel said. “The proteins came from different cultures, and the toppings did too. We wanted people to taste the world, one wrap at a time.”
Their menu showcased a global approach with adobo pork, cilantro lime chicken, bulgogi beef and tofu tikka masala. Guests could customize their wraps with white rice, queso blanco, salsa roja, yogurt-herb sauce or kimchi and they served lumpia and esquites as sides.
The team handled every part of creating an operation, from market research and pricing to branding, menu development and service flow. Henry said the experience changed how he learns.
“Going to school and working at the same time gives you such a different perspective,” he said. “I’ve seen myself change in the workspace and as a student because of what I learn in class.”
When asked about the future of Passport Wraps, and whether they would be willing to carry out the concept after graduation if they were approached with an investor opportunity, they were enthusiastic about not only continuing, but expanding on the idea.
“I would be so stoked. I don’t know about you guys, but if we get a chance to refine it a little bit, yeah.” Henry said.
“And adding in other cultures, too.” Miranda said.
Experiences like this don’t end on campus. They stay with Collins students as they step into new roles, wrapped into the way they learn and grow.