You won’t stumble onto BluHaven Piers by accident. The marina and kayak sales business lies on the shore of Jutland Creek, in the southern reaches of St. Mary’s County, a couple of turns off Route 5 in the hamlet of Ridge. The closest thing to a population center is St. Mary’s College, a few miles north. That’s as it should be, because St. Mary’s is in large measure responsible for the existence of BluHaven.

Pastry Chef Amanda Granados knew the value of a quality, hands-on education upon entering the work force and where to find it. Similar to many students attending a career and technical school in Southern Maryland, she knew what she wanted to do and was able to get a head start during high school.