Photo Courtesy Monica Graves
Photo Courtesy Monica Graves
BY OJASWI ADHIKARI, NHS INTERN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
Nearly four dozen students have participated in Discovery High School’s pilot culinary arts program since it launched in summer 2013.
“The high student interest and the various marketable skills provided by the program is what led us to chose a culinary arts program,” Principal Christopher Morris said. The program, he said, provides more options for students to be college and career ready.
The year-long program runs in three separate, hour-long blocks under the tutelage of Chef Monica Graves.
“I love being able to teach students an introduction to culinary arts and a different industry,” said Graves. “Culinary arts is where science, math and arts meet and I love being able to show that to students.”
Students can choose to enroll or drop out of the culinary arts program any quarter during the school year. There are no requirements to be a part of the culinary arts program and classes are mixed with freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, said Morris. The program counts as an elective course and there are plans to add normal coursework.
“The culinary program is an amazing program that teaches you many different styles of cuisine and cooking techniques,” said Discovery High senior Rocky Cravalho, 18. “You also learn how cooking is a group effort and the best part is that you get free food that is absolutely delicious.”
Culinary classes are held on the neighboring Natomas High School campus. Each course of the program starts out with kitchen basics such as knife skills and progresses to more complicated hospitality skills.
Students put their cooking skills to the test in November 2013 by preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for 200 people including students’ families and Natomas Unified School District employees and school board members. Students also catered the Discovery High open house.
“Right now, we are focusing on catering small events and teaching all aspects of that industry, however, we hope to expand the program into a Hospitality Academy that provides students with college preparatory skills as well as entry level positions at tourism and travel industries,” said Morris.
Discovery High School also offers Art and 3D animation electives. The school is located on 3401 Fong Ranch Road.
Photo Courtesy Monica Graves
Photo Courtesy Monica Graves
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