Photo Above: Front display of Frederick High School’s “Cadet Cafe”, where culinary based courses take place.
A minimum of 21 credits are required to graduate from a Maryland high school. Some of these requirements are four credits in English, three credits in Mathematics, three credits in Science, and a half credit in Gym & Health. However, one credit that has been overlooked and undermined into being simply an elective is one incredibly vital to the real world. It’s a class available to most, yet only ever discussed among some. It’s the skill to know how to cook.
The gift of picking up a spatula and whipping up a meal is something people oftentimes don’t realize can be more difficult than it seems. Even with the help of a recipe, lacking basic cooking skills can completely change the way a person cooks. As such, here are some proposals as to why the school board should consider the addition of this skill to the graduation requirements.
In School, At Home
One of the biggest social jumps between middle and high school is the amount of liberty that’s granted. As students get older, new experiences begin to open up in their favor. Drivers licenses’ are earned, young love begins to bloom, and bonds that may end up lasting lifetimes are formed. With newfound independence, shouldn’t the ability to feed yourself also be introduced? Culinary courses could help prepare students for their own home life after the school day is done. Perhaps the student is an older sibling who helps their guardians make dinner. Maybe the student wants to make themselves a hearty meal after a long day of football practice. No matter what the motivator may be, the knowledge that comes with the class will help fuel the student for many years to come.
Safety in Information
As fruitful as a good meal can be, it can also be incredibly harmful if handled incorrectly. Culinary deals with lots of dangerous materials such as open flames and sharp objects. Without proper guidance on how to prevent life threatening events like grease fires, students left to their own devices could be severely hurt. Introducing culinary as a graduation requirement will help keep students informed and aware of their surroundings when in the kitchen, as well as give them the opportunity to prove their independence and ability to sustain themselves.
New Beginnings for Curious Students
As they say, you never know until you try it. Though the option to learn how to cook is always available, not many people take up the offer willingly. Integrating the culinary credit requirement may open up the eyes of some students as to what they want to do career-wise. Some people discover that they really enjoy exploring flavor profiles and the process of searing up a delicious meal, leading them down the path of being a chef. To others, maybe the world of baking becomes more of their cup of tea. Nevertheless, getting students into the kitchen may help spark inspirations and new hobbies that will be beneficial for a lifetime.
The existence of culinary in schools is something that’s a miracle in the first place. Schools being able to give their students the opportunity to learn such a valuable skill is something that should not be taken for granted. Let’s start promoting the importance of dietary health and wisdom to better the future of our students.
