Innovative Projects and Catering Events Enhance Culinary Skills
When it comes to food, culinary students at the New Castle Career Center (NCCC) are getting
hands-on experience while having fun. Chef Robin Rinehart, the program’s instructor, is training
students in the food industry, including planning, preparation, and service.
“Culinary students are learning skills like knife techniques, cost management, time
management, food safety, sanitation, and proper cooking temperatures,” Chef Robin noted.
Through innovative projects and catering events, students gain practical experience and
develop a well-rounded understanding of the culinary arts.
Students Showcase Creativity with Gingerbread Creations
First year culinary students recently completed a gingerbread creation project, where they
designed and built structures entirely out of gingerbread. The project encouraged creativity and
the application of fundamental skills learned in class. Students sketched their designs, which
included at least four walls and a roof, created templates, made shopping lists, and then baked
and assembled their creations.
This year's projects include a wide variety of designs, such as a movie theater, Santa's
workshop, a barn, and a drum set. The gingerbread creation project teaches students valuable
skills, including planning, measuring, weighing ingredients, baking, mixing, and patience.
“Doing the gingerbread project has helped me realize the time and effort bakers put into items
like wedding cakes. Doing everything from costing to producing takes a lot of time. The project
can be stressful, but fun once it is down to decorating the creation,” noted a culinary student. “I
really like prepping the food for catering events. I am more comfortable with a knife and cutting
since we have done catering events. Seeing your food being served and having them enjoy it
makes it all worth it."
Catering, Cheeseballs, and Culinary Skills
The Culinary Arts program has been busy catering a variety of events, including meals for the
Henry County Retired Teachers, Alpha Delta Kappa, and ECESC Secondary Instruction
Specialists. While some events have involved preparing to-go meals, others have allowed
students to set tables and create a complete dining experience in the Culinary Arts room.
“They get to experience the process of booking a catering, shopping list, pricing, producing and
serving the meals,” added Chef Rinehart.
Additionally, the program recently completed its annual Psi Iota Xi recipe cheeseball sale, with
students producing an impressive 1,200 cheeseballs this year. Through these activities,
students are gaining valuable skills and practical experience in the culinary field.
Visit nccareercenter.org for more information about the Culinary Arts program and other
programs available through the New Castle Career Center.