PROVIDENCE, R.I., December 30, 2024—The CulinArt team at The Wheeler School, in Providence, R.I., is delivering culinary instruction to middle-school students as part of the school’s Aeri Enrichment Program, which supports and furthers students’ passion for learning.
The program encourages students to “bring the ideas” so that “Aerie makes it happen.” In this case, Torri Hieber, director of dining services, suggested creation of a culinary curriculum allowing them to learn the basics of cooking and meal preparation and, of course, enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Thus was born Flavor Lab, an eight-week endeavor delivered in 50-minute sessions in which eighth graders, who tend to be more curious, spend their Enrichment period learning various culinary skills and insights.
“The objective of Flavor Lab is to foster a creative space where students can learn the basics of cooking, from understanding safety and sanitation protocols to making homemade dressings and desserts,” Hieber explains. “At the end of the Flavor Lab course, students will know all aspects of a menu, culminating in making a meal that they will share and enjoy with their peers.”
Hieber says the inspiration behind Flavor Lab came from seeing her team’s daily interactions with students and noticing the students’ genuine curiosity about the kitchen and meal preparation. “I wanted to design a program that would blend our expertise and the learning environment we are in,” she adds. Chef J.C. Mobriant leads the classes, which kicked off with an Intro to Flavors. Participants learned how to combine fats and oils with a base to create an emulsion, tasting different kinds of vinegar and oils in the process. “We tasted a lot of seasonings, from sweet to sour, salty, and umami,” Mobriant notes. The group also learned about important knife safety and proper cutting techniques.
