I still remember my home economics class (or so it was called back then). I was given recipes and effectively transformed most of them into inedible abominations.

These students at Bloom Trail High School do not share my pain.

The culinary arts class recently got to create a holiday meal and bake pies for sale, concocting 66 deserts, including cherry, apple, pumpkin, mint and cookie pies. 

The young cooks were even presented with a Gordon Ramsay-like challenge, being asked to prepare an elaborate meal commissioned by a faculty member to serve at a family holiday dinner.

But getting the job done isn't simply making a decent tasting meal. Presentation matters.

That's why in addition to cooking and baking lessons, the students are learning about the presentation and production aspects of preparing food in massive quantities, according to family and consumer science teacher Marilyn Bittner. 

Bittner said her students will also plan and produce a three-course meal for an upcoming Bloom Trail parent group meeting. All of these activities are meant to showcase the students’ culinary and hospitality skills. 

On the teaching side of things Bittner is working with fellow Bloom Trail family and consumer science teacher Leah Pietraszewski.

Kudos to these students for forming consistently honing their culinary craft in class.