A Week of Culinary Art
Our first week of summer camp transformed the Marylhurst kitchen into a busy, student-run workspace as students took on the roles of chefs, meal planners, shoppers, and hosts. Throughout the week, campers developed practical life skills while discovering the joy of cooking and sharing meals together.
The week began by getting to know one another and establishing the foundation for a safe and successful kitchen. Together, students learned about food and kitchen safety, practiced knife skills, talked about working around hot surfaces, and preventing slips and spills, and discussed expectations for cleanliness, teamwork, and behavior. Together, they created their own kitchen agreements, which were proudly displayed throughout the week as a reminder of the standards they had set for themselves.
With those foundations in place, students turned their attention to planning the week's meals. They decided to prepare lunches inspired by different cultures and, after lively discussion and a class vote, selected Japanese, Indian, Italian, and Mexican cuisines. Students then worked together to choose recipes that fit within both their time and budget constraints, creating grocery lists and using a grocery ordering app to compare prices and make thoughtful purchasing decisions. Along the way, they experienced firsthand how budgeting, planning, and flexibility all play an important role in cooking.
After all of that hard work, the class celebrated a productive first day by baking chocolate chip cookies together, a well-earned sweet treat!
Each day followed a similar routine that gave students the opportunity to build confidence through skill-building and teamwork. Working independently and with rotating partners, campers prepared lunches, practiced new cooking techniques, and learned to communicate effectively as they shared responsibilities in the kitchen. After enjoying the meals they had created together, students cleaned the kitchen, stored leftovers, and prepared for the next day's cooking. These routines reinforced the importance of responsibility, organization, and contributing to a shared community.
The week culminated in a special Friday lunch, where students prepared a larger meal and welcomed their families and staff to enjoy the food they had planned and prepared together.. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their new skills and take pride in everything they had accomplished.
By the end of the week, every student had grown as a collaborator, a planner, problem solver, teammate, and leader. Some students discovered new foods and cooking techniques for the very first time, while others had the chance to share their existing knowledge and mentor their classmates. Throughout the week, the kitchen was filled with laughter, encouragement, and a genuine sense of camaraderie.
Every student earned a certificate of completion in recognition of their hard work and dedication. They also received a folder containing all of the recipes they prepared during the week so they can continue practicing their new skills at home.
Some of the most meaningful learning happens when students engage in authentic, hands-on experiences. At Culinary Arts Camp students built confidence, practiced responsibility, embraced new cultures, and experienced the satisfaction of planning, preparing, and sharing a meal together. It challenged students to think critically, work collaboratively and adapt when plans changed.The skills they learned and confidence they built, will serve them well in the kitchen and beyond.
