St. Michael in Bolton — Students create a cutting edge cafeteria

September 26, 2014 · 0 Comments

St. Michael Secondary School in Bolton launched the Cutting Edge Learning Cafeteria Project Monday.
This is a pilot project allowing hospitality students to run the entire cafeteria for the duration of the school year. The hands-on learning experience includes menu planning, recipe analysis and development, food preparation and service for mass food production. The project is also unique due to the quality of food offered on the menu, which is nutritious, fresh, made from scratch and will use largely local ingredients.
Teacher Michael Gallo said St. Michael is the only school in Peel offering the program.
“Kids are learning tremendous culinary skills,” he remarked.
“It is wonderful to be able to offer youth the opportunity to meet curriculum requirements out of the classroom,” said Peel Region’s acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa. “This project is providing young students with the opportunity to learn business, food and leadership skills, feel empowered through knowledge, and provide an opportunity for them to build positive lifelong habits, such as choosing healthier food options.”
“We’re trying to get the kids eating more healthy food,” Gallo added.
He also said the students are preparing food for the teachers’ restaurant, as well as hot lunches for students at Holy Family and St. John The Baptist Elementary Schools in Bolton
The project is being carried out by the school in cooperation with the Just Catering Company of Woodbridge.
The Cutting Edge Learning Cafeteria Project aims to encourage student engagement, inspire youth empowerment and leadership, foster innovative partnerships with Peel Public Health and the food service industry, and invest in the school-wide commitment to healthier living.