The culinary classes in Karns High have served lunches in school forever, teaching students what working in an actual kitchen would be like and hands-on server experience. But due to the school board giving warnings as to not compete with school lunches, Neblett has taken a new approach and is now having a self-serve lunch amongst teachers.
Upon my visit I saw a noticeable upgrade from last year, from running food back and forth from the kitchen to classrooms to now with their dine in buffet design. A buffet line of food served that week is on display in the dining room as teachers would come in and pay for their lunch, the price starting at eight dollars to cover your meal with 2 or 3 sides and a drink – 2 dollars extra for a dessert making it a 10 dollar deal. The students this year appear to enjoy this new method, students like Mariana in our interview saying
“It’s very efficient, easier for students so we won’t have to travel the whole school… saves a lot of time,” Mariana Cano said.
The thing that really makes this lunch service so successful is the food. Each and every week students can smell the delicious food being served down the hall.
“When we cook we like to look at trends and try to always match foods that are seasonal…” Neblett said, “On plates you always want an entree, one starch, one green vegetable or red, orange, or yellow and a sweet side dish.”
With Neblette having a much enjoyed lunch service, how does the kitchen operate? especially with a class of 25 or more students each day, Do they do the cooking? Or do they have specified jobs?
“Oh yes the children do all the stuff for us, cook the food, serve the teachers, bussing tables and all,” Neblett said, “It really brings in a whole new set of challenges that I think are good for us.” Neblett said.
Neblette’s approach to learning isn’t particularly traditional, most culinary classes mainly focus on cooking techniques and teamwork in the kitchen. Serving lunch as well is a large inclusion that benefits students.
“The school wants kids to leave my class industry ready, meaning preparing these kids to go out into the work force,” Neblett said, “We don’t cosplay being a baker, no, in here you’re really gonna bake something.”
Two students -Delmy Guzman and Mariana Cano- share their opinion on these lunch service lessons and how they feel that they benefit from its teachings to want to pursue something similar in the future.
“My dad used to work in a restaurant and having experiences like this in class makes me want to do the same.” said Mariana Cano
“I feel like you learn a lot, learn how to be fast especially and how to talk to people in a work setting,” Delmy Guzman said.
