With Remote eLearning underway, it was a natural next step for OLHMS instructor, Deb Barry, to see if her students had any interest in participating in their clubs from home. She emailed students to scope out the interest and the rest is history!
“I had six times as many kids than I could take register for the Culinary Club, so it is immensely popular-which is really exciting. I wanted to try to keep the momentum going. I thought, what better chance to teach them some skills than in their own kitchens? And their families helped and participated, which was really fun! We did a Google Meet and made Chicken Pot Pie Popovers, the filling and the dough was completely from scratch, and they did an amazing job,” said Barry.
Barry is hoping to keep the interest going and continue to host the Culinary Club online with new treats each week.
“We’re meeting again on Thursday (during Extended Learning Days) and making dessert for their families, Apple Dumplings. I send them the link to the recipe and ingredients several days in advance, and ask them to measure and lay out all of the ingredients and tools before we meet. Then I walk them through the recipe and directions, teaching them skills as we go along. We’re incorporating some science, some math, and life skills, so it’s a home run,” said Barry.
Culinary Club is a fun way to break up the school day, allowing students to be active in their kitchens and have fun with the whole family.
“They’re very engaged and interested, and so excited to be cooking for their families. I walk in the morning with some teachers, and as it turns out, one of the kids is a teacher’s next-door neighbor. She told me this morning that the mom was very excited to talk about the club- that’s so rewarding,” she said.