Teaching the culinary arts at Kennedale High School …??
By Analise Branch, Alyssa Phillips, Nijah Martin – KHS students?
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Chef Bolles has been surrounded by cooking since he was young. At 9 years old, he was washing dishes in a restaurant and witnessed chefs? passion in the kitchen ?rsthand. He knew that he wanted to lead his life in that direction. {{more: continue …}}?Chef? Bolles took several culinary classes while continuing his education and graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology. He attended graduate school to pursue his master?s degree.?After graduating, Bolles worked for various restaurants from corporate-owned to family-owned for 10 years and learned that most of his knowledge would come from experience rather than his education.??He believes that ?being a chef is a working title and has nothing to do with where? you went to school.??Eventually, Bolles became a teacher because he desired a steady, consistent schedule that would allow him to see his family. He has worked in education for 18 years.???This year, Kennedale High School began offering a Culinary Arts program and hired Chef Bolles as the instructor. Chef Bolles truly loves his job at Kennedale.?On the weekends, he operates a catering business with his wife, which provides food for events such as weddings and graduation parties. Bolles also enjoys competing in cooking competitions and won second place in the Mans?eld Steak Cookoff.? Catering and competitions are part of Chef Bolles? retirement plan.?In the future, he wants to travel to Argentina, Peru, and the Carribean as he has already experienced western Europe and Mexico. Travelling has enabled Bolles to experience a wide variety of cuisine and he will pass along his knowledge to his classes.? Chef Bolles is looking forward to the future of Kennedale High School?s Culinary Arts program.? ??Class Time …??At Kennedale High School, it has been a dream to put the old Home Economics room back into use. Those dreams were ful?lled last year when it was announced that Kennedale High school would be introducing a Culinary Arts program.?Culinary Arts teaches students cooking techniques and recipes through the Principles and Intermediate classes.?While the Principles classes focus more on learning helpful skills, safety tips, memorizing recipes, and the ins and outs of making home-cooked meals, the Intermediate class tackles the more industrial scale of food production. Class units include learning about Asian, Mexican, European,? and South American cuisines.?Students spend little time in the classroom. Most of? the class period is spent inside the kitchen because, as Chef Bolles says, ?you can?t learn how to cook in a classroom.? So when the amazing smell of gourmet food hits the hallways, you can thank Chef Bolles and his Culinary Arts students.?? ? ??Q & A with Chef Bolles …??Q: What is your restaurant of all time?? ?The Refectory Restaurant and Bistro in Columbus Ohio.? ??Q: What are some of your favorite local restaurants in Texas???Texas de Brazil, The Grape Restaurant, St Martin Cafe, and The Mansion on? Turtle Creek Restaurant.? ??Q: What are your favorite meals to cook?? ?I like to smoked meat, sausage, and bacon and I enjoy cooking Italian food like? lasagna because all of the steps involved and when you build it it?s nothing like a? Stouffer’s lasagna.?? ??Q: What is the goal for the students from taking this culinary program???The goal is to build relationships with local businesses and if they pursue becoming a chef they can hire the students straight from the program.?Q: A “Pro” kitchen tip? ?Super glue is a chef secret, it?s better than band-aids.?? ??Look out for more exciting information regarding Kennedale High School?s Culinary? Arts program. Future projects include preparing staff meals and selling casseroles for the Holiday season.???………………………………..?This article was produced by the KHS Business Practicum class where students work on
various business projects to help out other departments within the high school especially in the field of marketing, advertising and promotions.? Amy Littleton is the CTE Business teacher at KHS for the practicum class.
Note: This is the first year for Kennedale High
School and Chef John Bolles to offer a Culinary Arts program. It is the part of
the CTE (Careers & Technology Education) program at Kennedale High
School. Read more @ Career
& Technology Education at KHS
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