BY CHRISTINA ULAJ
Clarkston News Staff Writer
The halls smell good at Oakland Schools Technical Center-Northwest Campus, and the culinary arts department may be able to tell you why.
The culinary arts program offers information and experience for students interested in culinary arts or hospitality industries. This is a two-year program with first- and second-year students. The program focuses on four sections, which include:
n Front House-Dining Room
n Pantry-Cold Food Items
n Hot Foods
n Bake Shop
The four sections teach students table service, customer service, setting up and the operation of the dining room, and food preparation.
Students are required to rotate through the Culinary Core, which consist of sanitation, personal hygiene, weights and measures, and small and large equipment. These areas make up the basic concepts each student should know before working in the kitchen. Students rotate through these sections the first year.
As a second year student, they go through the same rotation at a higher level learning table-side cooking, menu development, costing, converting recipes, advanced research and presenting a final portfolio.
The Technical Center also offers ‘Serve Save,? which is a sanitation program through the National Restaurant Association as well as the local health department. Since the county health department requires for every restaurant to have a certified manager on staff, the technical center is working on offering this program to their second year and senior level students.
‘Our objective is to introduce this industry to the students to see if they would like to pursue it as a career,? said Chef Deborah Trudeau, chef instructor. ‘If students decide to pursue, we give them a foundation for advanced placement in some colleges and get them started in some job experiences.?
Students participate in special events including the reception for the new superintendent, the Clarkston Expo, seasonal buffets and cooking for kids through the American Culinary Federation.
‘I absolutely love this program and I love to cook,? said Jamie parker, senior and first year culinary arts program student. ‘When I heard about the program, I signed up and I have already learned so much.?
This program properly trains students; those who are dedicated and wish to follow have the basic knowledge to get them started.
‘When I first started this class, I thought it was a way to get me out of the typical classroom environment,? said Keith Bruce, Oakland Schools Technical Center Northwest graduate. ‘I learned so much and I hope to get involved in another culinary program while in college?
If enthusiasm is present, students can achieve success and enter the world of culinary arts and hospitality well prepared.
‘I believe I’m here for a reason,? said Trudeau, ‘and that is to work and teach these kids.?
Oakland Schools Technical Center Northwest teachers and students continue to work hard and share with others their love for Culinary Arts.