A Day in the Kitchen

The potential for learning in the kitchen classroom is endless. On any given day, 30 students collaborate to transform the Edible Schoolyard’s organic garden harvest into a delicious, seasonal dish.

Introduction

Students accompany their humanities and electives teachers to the Edible Schoolyard’s kitchen classroom. After being welcomed by the kitchen teachers, students stow their belongings, don aprons, wash their hands, and gather at the central table for the chef’s meeting. The kitchen instructor introduces the day's recipe, ingredients, and preparation method.

Preparation

The class divides into three groups, each preparing the day's recipe. Along the way, students are encouraged to engage their senses by tasting their dish. This way, students learn not only to follow instructions but to use their own senses to evaluate the process.

Reflection

At the heart of the Edible Schoolyard program is the commitment to create and strengthen community. Taking the time to set the table carefully, to sit and eat the foods we make, and to share thoughtful conversation promotes this sense of community. For some students, this is the only meal they will have with shared company throughout the entire day.

Question of the Day

Early on, we found that discussions turned into numerous private conversations, and the group experience deteriorated. We prepared question cards to stimulate structured group discussion on important issues and to reflect on what was learned in the activity itself.

Clean Up

At the end of the meal, students practice the principles of ecology as they reuse, recycle, and compost. Vegetable peels and scraps become stock, a tin can is a cookie cutter, and bottles are employed as rolling pins. Children carry garden produce to the kitchen and kitchen scraps to the garden compost pile, participating in the cycle of regeneration.

Vegetables, grains, and fruits prepared by students in the kitchen are not used in school lunches; however, students share the food they prepare as part of their kitchen experience.