Medina students at Oak Orchard explore food prep, culinary arts

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Central School

MEDINA – Throughout the week of March 24 to March 28, students at Oak Orchard Primary School had the opportunity to explore food preparation and the culinary arts interactively.

They created “ants on a log” snacks, dressed as food service workers, and welcomed a special visit from high school students to help them along.

For some students, this was their first time trying celery or raisins, and they enjoyed experimenting with different flavor combinations while learning how recipes are developed.

The Oak Orchard Cafeteria provided ingredients, and parent, community, and high school student volunteers guided students in crafting their snacks.

As an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) school, one way Oak Orchard focuses on early college and career exploration is by introducing students to a variety of professions.

Through this activity, students learned about food service careers and enhanced their kitchen skills. After making their snack, they were encouraged to recreate them at home.

The week-long event also included video tours of local Medina businesses, including Hans’s Bakery, McDonald’s, Coffee Pot, Oak Orchard Café, Tops and Rudy’s Diner. Oak Orchard school counselor Miss Laroussi visited these locations to put together videos highlighting various food service careers.

Later in the school year, Oak Orchard students will explore careers in agriculture, with additional opportunities planned for the next school year.

To make the experience even more engaging, students had the chance to enter a raffle for a basket of ingredients to create a treat at home. To enter, they had to complete a challenge, which included greeting a food service worker at a local restaurant, café, or grocery store and helping their family prepare a snack or meal at home. The turnout for participation in the raffle was incredible!