Discover the art of flavor and technique by entering a hands-on culinary class, where students who are eager to learn are taught by experienced cooks.
From mastering knife skills to creating gourmet dishes, these classes offer more than just recipes- they provide a journey into the world of culinary creativity, with each lesson.
Culinary is a CTE program students can take once students start their sophomore year. Danielle Frey and Ashton Estis are both culinary teachers, Estis teaches culinary first year and Frey teaches the second year culinary class.
In culinary, students can earn certificates from taking the class like Servsafe Management. To earn the certificate students have to take culinary courses for two years. The classes teach students about cooking, safety in the kitchen and food and service.
After students complete these courses they get a Servsafe certificate that lasts for five years. With the Servsafe Management certificate students can learn the skills they need to run a restaurant. Last year, 23 students received the Servsafe Manager certificate.
Culinary I teaches students different techniques, food and just basics. Estis enjoys teaching culinary, “my favorite part is being in the kitchen teaching the kids things that they’ve never done before and seeing them try foods they’ve never tried before,” Estis said.
Culinary II teaches more advanced cooking techniques. “This is my favorite job I’ve ever had and my favorite part is teaching kids skills that they don’t already know,” Frey said.
Many students who take these courses enjoy learning and getting to participate in this class. Junior Tristen Davis stated he started to take culinary courses because he liked to create things and that he could use the skills he learned to help make food during the holidays. “It’s fun to figure out how to make stuff like corndogs and candy apples,” Davis said.
Junior Sienna Carter, a second year student, said that the thing she most enjoys about culinary is getting to take field trips, and getting to do catering events. Most recently, culinary students took a trip to the senior citizens center to do catering for an event they were hosting, senior citizens prom.
“We helped serve, entertain and talk with the seniors,” Carter said.
Carter also enjoys taking culinary courses because she “likes to learn new things, she gets to cook and talk with her friends.”
“I am inspired seeing all my peers cook, us being together is real nice, real sweet. I don’t want to work to cook anywhere but you will be a mama one day so you’re going to need to know how to cook.” she said.
If any student would like to be a part of the culinary program, you will need to wait until next school year, but don’t forget to sign up for it when scheduling begins after Christmas.
