Culinary Education

[Jonathan Buhacoff]

Proposal:

All students should have an opportunity for essential culinary education so they learn how to safely prepare food for themselves and their family.

Discussion:

Culinary means related to the kitchen. It includes all food preparation including cooking, baking, salads, drinks, and more.

Everyone needs to know about what happens to food over time, why and when to use a refrigerator and freezer, how to use an oven and stovetop, how to use a microwave, how to use a grill, how to cook meat so it’s safe to eat, how clean fruits and vegetables, and how to read the ingredients list and other labels on items in the grocery store to know what they can and cannot eat, or what they want or don’t want to eat.

The food used or discussed in classes should be a mix of fun and educational. It’s also an opportunity to introduce students to other cultures from around the world and to culinary styles from different times in history. To the extent such diverse selections are used, they should be used to enhance individual learning and appreciation for a variety of cuisines, and to help students find what they like. However, it should not distract from the learning objectives which are learning and skills that students can apply at home, with the ingredients commonly available in their region or surrounding regions.

Students who are interested in achieving more should have an opportunity to practice and compete but this may not be available in all schools and may have to be an after-school activity. However, if a school has a kitchen it can host evening cooking classes.

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