Melbourne High

When people have been asked what is the most important thing about living on their own, there has been a plethora of answers given in response, but perhaps the most important of those is how to cook and prepare food. Luckily, here at Melbourne High School, the students of Chef Haskin’s food science and safety class, such as Dominic Ciano, have learned how to do exactly such.

As Ciano has said himself, “I have two years of experience in class stuff—2 from culinary and this class, and from NSFSP.” But Ciano isn’t just someone who practiced his culinary skills in just school. “Yeah I’ve learned a few things from my Dad and at work. I’ve helped my dad with cooking for as long as I can remember-I’ve helped my mom with baking for as long as I remember.” said Ciano, and with that experience, applied it to the important material within the classroom itself. “We’ve been dehydrating food. We cut some carrots and celery for soup, and I think we’re getting ready to make jerky. I’ve been enjoying it, it’s been fun.” said Ciano. Alongside the chopping of ingredients, Ciano learned some very important things when it came to how to handle sharp tools, “You want to be safe handling any sharp instrument, but then cutting food product there is an art to it that takes time to develop. We’re in the beginning phases of it. But ensuring that handling knives properly, cleaning properly, and storing them properly—that’s our main goal… It’s also something you can always use in any kitchen or home.” said Chef Haskins.

The class learned not only knife skills, but more ways to perserve food in dehydrated foods. “Food preservation is pretty important for any reason. A lot of times if you’re buying in bulk in a restaurant, you can dehydrate it, reconsistate it, reuse it later on—gives it a longer shelf life. Use it on a ton of food products, like sundried tomatoes. It’s a really good delicacy to add to a dish. And, of course, for healthy snacks for food nutrition which is why we’re focusing on it. It’s just another way to exposing without using preservatives in food, it’s a natural way of doing it so it’s a healthier way of eating that food.” said Chef Haskins.

Thanks to the careful and helpful assistance that Chef Haskins provided, students like Ciano learned how to not only succeed with what they are given, but more ways on how to make an improved diet, handle knives, and beneficial ways to manage food products on their own time. As Chef Haskin’s puts it best, “If you can’t eat it fresh and raw, then that’s your next plan.”

Caption:

Perfectly Preparing the Goods: Dominic Ciano in Chef Haskin’s room during his second period class in building 10, preparing the previously chopped apples for dehydration. Chef Haskin’s has been at Mel High for six years, and worked in the Industrial scene for many years—this allowed him to make sure each student made prepared food for dehydration properly. Chef Haskins showed students how to cut fruits and vegetables correctly the day prior. “The reason I think its important is its a good skill to know when you live on your own; You don’t have to buy that many pre-made stuff, get your own ingredients, and cooking with those ingredients is typically cheaper.” said Ciano.  Photo by Tyler Ferreira Alves Hill.