The Charter School of Excellence is proud to offer a Culinary Arts curriculum to high school students. The Culinary Arts Program is available at the Skills Center in a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen. The classes in this program are popular among students and help to link students to jobs in our area in the food service and hospitality industry. The Culinary Arts program is a unique and vibrant opportunity for students to challenge themselves to see if they have what it takes to be successful across various workforce industries.
Culinary Arts students will begin with an overview of the industry, receive an introductory base of practical knowledge as well as a Food Handler Certification, and learn how to negotiate the demands of a functioning foodservice operation. Students will need to demonstrate proficiency in Food Safety and Sanitation, Equipment Safety, and Principles of Cooking before moving to the next level.
Once in the kitchen, students are exposed to the duties necessary in a professional working environment. They will focus on a multitude of culinary experiences while developing good working habits through content readings, homework, mini-projects, and Culinary Lab practical assignments. Additionally, the program acts as an educational incubator where students will put their skills to the test by working as a team to create meals and produce for various events throughout the year.
Advanced level students will learn the professional aspects and skills necessary to move beyond the simple management of a kitchen. Students will work as Sous Chefs and be responsible for the development of menus and retail items featured for catered events and external projects.
Yearly projects focus on developing products for the next year. The advanced culinary student will enjoy this class as professional training.
The Charter School of Excellence has a student-led coffee shop at the Skills Center called Cool Beans. This coffee shop provides an opportunity for students to merge their skills from Culinary Arts and Workforce Development Programs while offering a service to students and staff daily.
The newest extension of the program is the Charter School of Excellence food truck. Food for Thought is an advanced level extension of this program where students can apply real-world skills in the local community. Food For Thought has been a collaborative endeavor focused on providing students with the opportunity to gain soft skills in a real-world environment to extend the Workforce Development and Culinary Arts curriculum. Students will be gaining transferable skills in customer service, hospitality, culinary arts, and event management through the food truck.
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