
I always ask my students what they would like to make the first day of class in a survey. I hate teaching the same thing over and over again in exactly the same way….yawn yawn, it gets boring. So to…

High school students can be know-it-alls especially those who cook at home. However, this lab seems to keep everyone interested as it is rare to find a student, or a cook for that matter, that actually knows how to butcher a chicken. Of course some students are resistant to having to touch a raw chicken however with the right student pairing I’ve had luck keeping everyone engaged.

One of my favorite things to do with students are taste tests. They absolutely love it if they are brave enough to give it a try. So many students never get the chance to try different fruits unless their parents expose them to them. Bring on this lesson that will be sure to be some students’ favorite.

Just in time for the Superbowl, this super easy appetizer is not only delicious, but a crowd pleaser too! The idea came from a local restaurant that serves something similar as an appetizer, however they make their own potato chips instead of using waffle fries. That’s definitely an option for the ambitious cook who wants to mess with a deep fryer on Superbowl Sunday.

After studying various cuisines from around the world students use technology to create their very own restaurant. Students decide on the type of cuisine they want to serve, the style of restaurant, the location, menu items, menu style & layout, and create a commercial. This is a project based unit incorporating 21st century skills!

Can I say that sometimes I am fascinated with the breadth of prepared foods available to us today? One that caught my eye was the Jimmy Dean Griddle Sticks. I liked the concept and wanted to make a homemade version. This lesson is not only about making a homemade version but about careers in food engineering and food marketing.

This lesson plan is a great way to have the students connect and relate to one another. Each student will find and bring in a favorite family recipe, or favorite recipe. The students will fill out a worksheet with questions and present them to the class. It incorporates culture, family, history, geography, self-esteem, and food.

It’s important for culinary students to learn how to make foods that cater to certain dietary needs or preferences. There is no doubt that many restaurants now and in the future will be more diet conscious and find it necessary to include menu items for people with food allergies and specialty diets. This is lesson allows students to prepare a delicious southwestern tasting veggie burger that is quick and easy to make.