One of the most popular electives that was offered in middle school was Teen Living. It was divided into two halves: sewing and cooking, and for me (Yuki), cooking was the most exciting part of the class I looked forward to. The class was divided into table groups, with everyone getting an assigned role in the kitchen, and we were taught a mix of recipes, tips, and techniques. A big part of it was being able to make food itself, but we were also taught what mistakes to avoid in the kitchen, careers in culinary, and most importantly, how cooking could benefit us. Culinary skills should be emphasized more in Tallwood High School so that students can save money and cook healthier meals.
Notice the rising costs? Due to inflation in the United States, it has trickled down and affected people here in Virginia Beach. Prices of food in restaurants and grocery stores continue to get higher, while people can barely afford their rent. There’s a misconception that ordering takeout is cheaper than buying and cooking your own food. And if a majority of Tallwood seniors aren’t well informed about cooking, some will believe in that myth when they go off to college. The lack of knowledge could lead to them choosing to eat takeout because it’s quick, seemingly inexpensive, and has no risk of wasting food. It might seem smart at the moment, but over time it will negatively affect their wallet. If Tallwood pushed culinary more onto students in high school, more students would learn how to utilize their time, and there’d be less of a chance at failing recipes, which means less money wasted on discarded food.
Additionally, students would learn how to cook healthier meals. For example, in culinary, students are taught about different types of healthy foods and how to prepare them. Culinary courses have proven to improve students’ cooking skills and have successfully boosted their confidence in the past; this means that if more students took the culinary class here, they would also gain confidence in their abilities to use what they learned to make a nutritious meal for themselves. Some college students, because they don’t know how to cook, eat ramen or snack on small foods because it’s quick, but that won’t give them the energy they need throughout the day. Repeatedly eating foods with high sodium and little protein will only exhaust students faster. College can be stressful and fast, so students need to cook healthy foods that will keep them focused and energized throughout their days there.
Some people say that because culinary isn’t a core class, students shouldn’t be encouraged to take it; however, culinary is a life skill that everyone will need to learn in order to survive. If Tallwood High School’s purpose is to prepare students for their future, notably college, then it should prioritize nonacademic subjects such as culinary arts to help students get ready for adulthood. If Physical Education (PE) is required, then culinary arts should be too because both of the classes teach teenagers lifelong skills and healthy habits that will benefit them even after high school.
Tallwood should encourage students to take culinary courses because it will save students money and will encourage them to cook healthier meals for themselves. Saving money, especially these days, is important due to rising costs, and students deserve to have enough money to eat. Furthermore, students need to know how to cook nutritious meals for themselves, so they can safely get through their days in college. Culinary skills are not only helpful for students’ time in college, but it will be a skill they carry with them throughout their lifetime.
