Students in the culinary program have anticipated the new culinary building for nearly 2 years. The new building cost a whopping $4.2 million for the whole project with brand-spanking new gas stoves, industrial refrigerators, and pristine ovens to cook the most delicious cakes, pastries, pies, and bread—You get the jist!
“The students will learn cooking skills in a professional kitchen setting,” said Culinary teacher Chef Russel.
According to her, the kitchen will have 12 stations with gas stoves each station with 4 gas burners giving the students much more to work with than the original classroom’s wired induction stoves with only one burner. The new culinary building includes many improvements such as the bigger open area resolving previous crowding problems that lead to confusion. The open area will allow for a better-flowing classroom for those new students.
Mylah Schoenfeldt (‘24) discovered the culinary program back in 2019 when she saw Russel at a career fair, and saw an opportunity to improve on a vital skill.
“Cooking is universal, you have those skills throughout your life,” Schoenfeldt said. “There is no real downfall to joining and getting to learn more about this.”
However, Schoenfeldt isn’t completely on board with the seating now that stools are being used instead of regular chairs and tables.
While Russell is ecstatic regarding the new classroom, she will have to wait, as the earliest start date for students is March 25. Although the students are still packing the equipment to move at the moment, they still have a lot to do. This building will help with the productivity of the students to cook but also catering service for the school for special occasions like prom, dances, football games, etc. Not only is the new building better, but students will also be able to appreciate it for many years throughout the future.
The new building is magnificent, and is much bigger than what the pictures lead you to believe. First, there is an ice machine, which is helpful in cooking various dishes. The gas stoves are large, with each having a oven.
Both students and staff excitedly anticipate the building’s completion. Students have been waiting more than a year and a half, and coming to school every day to see the progress has built their excitement. According to Russel, the school’s money was well spent. The new building is not just a new classroom for students to cook in. It is a facet for students to build a valuable skills, and a lifelong application of culinary experience.
