When you read the line “Back To School,” does it make you think of Rodney Dangerfield or Adam Sandler? Either way, it’s good times, which is what I’m having. My personal chef operation is now limited to weekends as my weekdays are now taken up with the students of Hoover High School.
Electives Gettin’ Bougie
As I mentioned previously…high school culinary programs focusing on higher-level cooking and restaurant management are new to me. We’ve always known about Home Economics, but not necessarily culinary arts. Hoover as it turns out, built an expansive kitchen that allows the students to gain experience in a restaurant-style cooking environment. The program has been around for quite a few years and has built a reputation as an informative, fun, and rewarding elective within the greater San Diego Unified School District.
New Hours
Monday-Friday, 3 hour and a half classes a day has given me and my family a significant life shift. As you might know, I’ve been a personal chef since 2002…happily. But as time ticks by, I’ve felt the need to be a part of a community, a team and a legacy that is more than just me. Never feeling a draw to the demands and lifestyle of the restaurant biz, I wanted a position where my last 25 years of accumulated knowledge has an opportunity to go somewhere other than just my kids. Which I do effort to build their food knowledge, but I can’t preach or force anything or I’ll lose ‘em.
This semester has been challenging day to day and week to week because I’m building my curriculum and learning how to manage everything and everyone. But what’s cool is the reason I started this (to teach youth), has been the fun part. Engaging with kids that work hard, enjoy cooking and consistently make me laugh has been awesome. Not only have the students exceeded my expectations, the staff and co-workers have been supportive, open and giving to whatever I need.
So, for the foreseeable future, I am unavailable Monday-Friday. But if you’re looking to party it up and dine down on the weekend? Let’s gooooo!