Throughout the months of November and December, the culinary classes and Cooking for a Cause club have been busy! Chefs Robert Eckert and Michael Delapaz have brought an inspiring energy to the newly renovated culinary kitchens at West Essex High School, transforming them into a hub of creativity and community. Under their guidance, the culinary arts students have showcased their skills by preparing an impressive array of dishes.
Culinary students served Thanksgiving Dinner to all students staff on November 26, and it was delicious! Cooking for a Cause club members also collected a total of 13 turkeys to donate to Toni’s Kitchen, helping to feed families on Thanksgiving!
In December, Cooking for a Cause club members decorated and donated dozens of cookies to the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell’s Annual Cookie Walk! But the decorating did not stop there! These culinary students also shine during West Essex's Winter Wellness Event, where students present an array of treats, including homemade cookies with impressive airbrushing techniques, and their much-anticipated Annual Gingerbread House Competition. This year’s competition will feature over 20 intricately crafted gingerbread houses, which visitors can admire and vote on during the wellness festivities. Thanks to Chefs Eckert and Delapaz, the kitchens have become a cornerstone of community engagement and culinary excellence.
Check out some pics!