[Written by Natasha Thomas] During the 2023 – 2024 school year, students were engaged in co-curricular activities, on Wednesday afternoons. A group of 12 – 15 students signed up for the Community Cooking Club, where they were awarded both community service and co-curricular hours. The club consisted of a group of students who were either interested in a career in culinary arts, or students who possessed a passion for cooking and baking.
The students in this club prepared and served food for Teen Service: Teen Haven [Semester 1], and The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter [Semester 2]. The purpose of the CBA Community Cooking Club was to provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with community organisations whose sole mission is to meet the needs and development of others, through acts of service. Students were afforded the opportunity to learn about food preparations, kitchen and food safety, organization and teambuilding skills, and using their culinary arts skills to serve others.
The Community Cooking Club is a student-led initiative that is supported by the Family Studies teachers. Over the course of the year, students learned about their clientele’s dietary needs and balanced meals. They were responsible for developing an 8-week menu, writing and submitting grocery shopping lists, and organizing a weekly food preparation work schedule for each member of the team.
On Wednesdays, the students cooked the assigned dishes and desserts during their lunch perio.
