TCS Junior Chef Cooking Classes
By Samantha DePriest
At TCS we are grateful and blessed to have incredible SAGE chefs on campus preparing delicious and healthy foods every day for our students, staff, and visitors. Recently our students from Upper Elementary, Middle and High School joined together to learn from the best during TCS Kids Cooking Classes. In an effort to help create lifelong culinary skills by learning the basics of cooking, our students met in small groups with our head chef’s to learn how to prepare delicious Thanksgiving side dishes. After all, Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family and friends around the table enjoying delicious food and fellowship.
Cooking classes were held in the main kitchen and led by Chef Justin and Chef Marie who lead teams in both of our main campus kitchens. The menu was two favorite Thanksgiving side dishes Sweet Potato Souffle with Marshmallows and Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese.
Students learned the necessary steps to navigating and maintaining safety while in the kitchen, preparing food, following step-by-step directions in a recipe, and how to work together.
There was plenty of laughter from our Junior Chef’s and story telling about when they cook with their families at home. Inspiring comments like these from the students brought smiles to the Chef’s faces.
"I've never tried sweet potatoes before, but I think I really like them."
"I am definitely going to make this recipe at home for my Mom."
"This to-go box isn't going to make it home because I am going to eat it all right now."
"Can you teach me how to make creme brulee?"
"You know how TCS is starting an Aviation program, they should start a Culinary program too."
“Can we come back tomorrow afternoon and learn to make another recipe?”
Chef Justin and Chef Marie were so patient and encouraging with all the students. They made learning to cook fun and shared their own stories and kitchen tips with them. Chef Justin shared a very important tip that he was taught in culinary school, “Picture who is your most favorite person in your whole life and then ask yourself, would I serve them this dish?” He encouraged the students to “Taste everything you make before you serve it. Even if it’s not something that you like to eat, always taste everything you make before you serve it others. I don’t really like mayo but I taste everything I put mayo in to make sure those who I am serving will be pleased with it.” The students were encouraged to try new things and step out of their comfort zones, you never know when the next new thing you try could become a favorite.
TCS strives for excellence in all areas including our food service program. Empowering our students to learn new skills and serve one another is just another way TCS partners with families to provide enriching and engaging educational experiences. We look forward to future cooking classes with our SAGE Chefs. Stay tuned for more details and registration in upcoming weekly “Inside the Pride” newsletters.
