Culinary is an amazing program many students try out to show off their talent and to have great experiences. Students learn about different cooking methods, safety and sanitation. Currently students are learning about fish, but got to experience baking things like muffins and cookies last year. Beverages will also be an item students get to work with later on.
Events they cater are for anyone in the public. The restaurant is open to anyone. Haute cuisine events are events the students are required to attend in order to receive credits for demonstrating effort and leadership. Senior Rebecca D’Oliveira-Azocar enjoys her culinary experience.
“Since we’re in the culinary program, we have the ability to join a lot of competitions that we have in culinary,” D’Oliveira-Azocar said.
Last year she entered the “Perfect Bite” competition where she was able to demonstrate her creativity by making a delicious dish. She decided to embrace her culture by making “empanadas con chimichurri” which is an argentine dish. Rebecca and her partner were able to win first place for the high school division.
D’Oliveira-Azoca offers advice to any student who is considering taking culinary.
“I would say you can never go wrong with culinary,” she said. “You’re always gonna have food in your life and if you don’t want to follow it as a profession you’re more than welcome to still be in the program.”
What caught her attention when exploring the different programs Ben Davis has to offer is when she heard, “You don’t want to be 30 ordering fast food again because you don’t know how to cook with the food you have in your fridge.”
Throughout her journey, she’s been able to improve and grow because of the beautiful community she works with. Her favorite dish is the first one she ever made, which was the original airline chicken breast sautéed with a pan sauce. Making this dish made her feel motivated because she realized she could cook. Even when she messes up, she gets up and tries again. She states God has been the one who’s made it all possible.
