Tasty things are brewing, braising, baking and searing at Yuba Community College District”s Clear Lake Campus. Chef Robert Cabreros has spiced up his instructional menu with several new projects, enhancing the overall culinary experience for his students.
Along with learning their way around the kitchen, students are being offered the opportunity to participate in several worthwhile and educational projects. Not only do the projects provide for the educational experience of the students, but many also contribute to the welfare of the community and the campus.
Culinary students have been involved with several community events including the Lake County Wine Alliance”s annual gala and the recent Old Time Bluegrass Festival held at Anderson Marsh. Both events provided students the opportunity to learn the appropriate foods in relation to serving events. “There was an important factor in the food we made for the event,” said Julz Wonderwheel, adding that she enjoyed learning how to make sushi.
“It was a great experience to be involved in such an important community event,” said Wonderwheel. “Even though we”re students, we are doing really well and we want the community to know that. We are proud and invite the community to come down (to Aromas Caf? on the college campus) and try one of our specials.”
The culinary class is also contributing to Habitat for Humanity, donating a delicious lunch to the workers on a continuous basis.
Another project in the works is a campus garden. “The garden will be combined with the science and ecology classes so it will help them learn about the planting and then the produce will help us here in the classroom kitchen,” said student Kathie Salvato.
For the first time a culinary club has been approved on campus. Through the club, students will raise money for the class, culinary field trips and various community service projects. The club is currently contributing to the refurbishing of the bathrooms at Redbud Ballpark in Clearlake.
The students have also initiated on a green waste and recycling program aimed at recycling 1,000 pounds of waste each year.
Cabreros is extremely pleased with his enrollment. “Enrollment is up,” he said excitedly. “We have a full class with 25 students. I have a very diverse group. They are ambitious and serious. Sometimes I need to calm them down and remind them not to put so much on their plates. They have met and exceeded all my expectations.”
Enrollment for the next semester opens on Thursday, Nov. 29. For more information contact the Clear Lake Campus at 995-7905 or visit the admission”s office at 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
Aromas Caf? serves a variety of scrumptious selections 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday on the Clear Lake Campus. The express window opens at 9 a.m. with light breakfast selections including coffee and smoothies.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
