Cooking classes at NPHS fosters culinary creation
The culinary arts are a vital part of cultural identity, comfort and the essence of our core memories. Whether it is preparing food for a loved one, for oneself or for the sake of creative exploration, cooking is not just a strong skill to have, it is an opportunity for connection.
Luckily, Newbury Park High School has culinary classes open to all grades. Most people hear about the culinary courses because of their high demand and long waitlist, but the true heart of the class comes from the people within. Sebastian Laubner, junior, is passionate about the course’s opportunity for growth. “This class stands out from all of the other classes at NPHS because it is all hands-on. It allows for students to learn an essential skill and knowledge in the kitchen by actually doing and gaining experience in one,” Laubner said.
Giulia Pongeluppi Willy, junior, has learned the different elements of a dish through her time in the culinary course. “Learning to work with fresh ingredients has been amazing. I now understand how different spices and flavors can completely change a dish,” Willy said. Willy is able to work with different seasonings and has a strong understanding of what that means for a meal. “One of my favorite meals so far has been homemade pizza muffins. In the future, I’m excited to try making a full three-course meal by myself. This class is very hands-on. You get to create and taste everything, which isn’t something you can do in other classes,” Willy said.
Elizabeth Newman is the head chef in the culinary program at NPHS. “I grew up in a family that owned a restaurant and catering business. It’s in my blood to want to be in culinary arts. After years of training to be a Chef, I was asked if I was interested in teaching high school students culinary arts, I said ‘YES!!’ And the rest is history! I have been here since 2017 and I love it!” Newman said. Newman’s passion for cooking does not only reflect her excitement for the art form but how she shares it with her classes. “The class is designed to help make students feel comfortable in the kitchen. I take the time to go over safety standards so students feel like they are safe, once they feel comfortable with that, they seem to just thrive in the creativity department,” Newman said. The ability to make students feel comfortable under a rather stressful environment like a kitchen [where many things can go wrong] is an incredibly special gift to have.
“I would recommend the class to anyone because cooking is a skill that you need to know outside of the classroom. I view culinary as art because you are creating something from a bunch of different ingredients and forming a dish where presentation and many other factors are playing a huge part in your design,” Laubner said. Culinary arts commend students to think outside the box, and to prepare them for a future with food.
