By Matthew Franzen

Lowell, MA – Students learn more than just cooking when it comes to food in the Culinary Arts program of Lowell High School.

“Safety and sanitation is important to help prevent foodborne illnesses and to keep the kitchen clean and healthy,” said Casey Abshire about the Culinary Arts program.

The culinary art students learn how to plan a menu, prepare a table, the importance of food safety and sanitation, according to Chef Jacque who runs the kitchen for the program.

Culinary Arts is a program that introduces the food industry to  sophomore junior and seniors. The program features a student operated restaurant and bakery.

In a specialized part of the program students learn the importance of food safety and sanitation when dealing with the public.

“Servsafe is a program offered to our Lowell High School advanced students, it shows how important it is to keep a kitchen clean to reduce the chances of producing a food borne illness outbreak,” according to Casey.

Working in a student-operated kitchen is not so hard since the teachers guide the students on what to do, according to the student chefs.

“The kitchen is a really fun place and it is easy to run,” said Abshire, who has been in the culinary arts program for 2 years.

Chef Jacque shares his experience from 40 years in the food business.

“I feel comfortable because I learn from mistakes and I know everyone is nervous when they first try something. Also it’s a very fun experience and you meet many different people who are in love with food!” Abshire said.

Abshire demonstrates his knife skills learned on the cutting board and he demonstrates the sanitation and cleaning practices learned from Servesafe.

The kitchen seemed more appealing to culinary students than working in the bakeshop. Only a handful of students expressed their preference to bake.

Whether baking or cooking, the culinary arts program helps establish a career path for students, according to Chef Jacque.

The program also offers field trips when they can schedule them.  Going to hotels to see the operations and the hospitality of a hotel is an important experience, according to Jacque.

If students plan on going into the the food business, Lowell High School Culinary Arts may be the place to experience this profession first hand.

It helps a student get the feel of working in a restaurant, the skills sought after by culinary employers and the firsthand experience in the culinary world, according to Jacque.