Course Title
Course Description:
Open to freshmen and sophomores only
Prerequisite: none
Course classification: 3
This course is designed to be a hands-on, exploratory introduction to the
kitchen. Students will participate in the daily selection, planning, and
preparation of a variety of recipes and cooking labs. Units of study will
focus on a wide range of cookery including the preparation of breakfast
foods, theme-party planning, cooking for convenience, and the fun food
creations. A $35.00 fee is required.
Enduring Understandings:
Maintaining a safe and sanitary kitchen can aid in promoting a kitchen free from germs, food borne illness, and kitchen accidents.
Culinary skills include how to read and prepare a recipe, understanding cooking terminology, measuring ingredients correctly, and using the correct kitchen equipment for the intended purposes.
Following nutritional guidelines and eating a well balanced diet that includes; breakfast, lunch, dinner, with snack and dessert options, promotes living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Yeast and quick breads use different leavening agents and require specific cooking techniques.
Vegetables and fruits contain vitamins, minerals, and have various nutritional benefits.
Food can be prepared and served to meet the needs of the intended audience and the event being held.
Planning for an event requires preparing a food menu, identifying catering services, creating a guest list, with an invitation, and identifying shopping needs, while staying within a food budget.
Essential Questions:
What constitutes a safe and sanitary food lab?
How can kitchen accidents be prevented?
What are the different small kitchen utensils and their functions?
What are the appropriate techniques and equipment for measuring various ingredients?
How are the various cooking terms that are common in recipes defined?
How are the various knives used in food preparation?
Why are the dietary guidelines important to understand?
How are yeast bread and quick bread preparation different?
How are grains used in food preparation?
How do vegetables vary in the nutrients they provide?
How do fruits vary in the nutrients they provide?
How do you prepare eggs?
How does milk vary in nutrients it provides between the different types?
What are fun foods?
Why is Breakfast the most important meal of the day?
Why is it important to eat lunch?
What is a balanced dinner?
What are different types of desserts?
What step should one take to plan a party?
How do you create a menu?
How do you create an invitation?
Course Academic Vocabulary:
Food Safety & Kitchen Sanitation: Food Borne Illness, Staph, E.Coli, Salmonella, Cleansers
Kitchen Equipment: Colander, Liquid/Dry Measuring Cups, Pastry Blender, Pastry Brush, Mixing Bowls, Pots/Pans
Cooking Terms: Slice, Dice, Chop, Cream, Blend, Mix
Measurements: Tablespoon, teaspoon, ounces, pounds, gallon, quart, pint
Knife Skills: Chefs knife, Utility knife, Serrated knife, Paring knife
Nutritional Guidelines: RDI, Food labels, Essential nutrients, Food Guide Pyramid(Plate), Meal planning(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Grains: Long grain, Quinoa, Brown Rice, Oats
Yeast/Quick Breads: Leavening Agents, Functions of Ingredients, Proofing, Kneading, Fermentation, Muffin Method
Fruits/Veggies: Botanical Names, tubers, Root, Bulb, Stems, Seeds, Leaves, Pomes, Drupes, Berries, Tropical, Seasonal
Eggs: Parts of, yolk, egg whites, protein, Omelet, Scrambled, Deviled, Poached, Hard/Soft Boiled
Dairy: Calcium, osteoporosis, yogurt, types of cheese
Party/Event Planning: Food Menus, Invitations, Catering Services, Planning/Preparation Time
Course Units / Topics of Study:
Glorious Grains
Vibrant Vegetables
Elegant Eggs
Delightful Dairy
Splendid Seafood
Fantastic Fruits
Pizzas w/ Pizzazz
Brilliant Breakfasts
Breezy Beverages
Lovely Lunch
Top Ten Super Foods
Fun Foods
Quick n’ Easy Dinners
Delicious Desserts
Party Planning
