NCK Tech Culinary program gives TMP Spanish class taste of Latino culture

Chef Philip Kuhn of the NCKTC Culinary Arts program

NCKTECH

For the second consecutive year, Thomas More Prep-Marian school Spanish teacher Melissa Pinkney has brought a group of her students to the NCK Tech Culinary program to participate in a hands-on Latino cultural experience.

With the assistance of Chef Philip Kuhn and the culinary class, TMP students were able to help prepare a spicy feast. Tamales, guacamole, salsa verde and pico de gallo were on the menu for this year.

One of the culinary students is actually a current TMP senior. Jillian Lowe is taking the program at NCK TECH during the afternoon.

She takes her TMP classes in the morning and then heads to the culinary program every day from 12:30-3:30 p.m. In order to participate, Lowe was required to meet her high school credits. “I have always had an interest in cooking and this is a great opportunity even while I am still in high school,” stated Lowe. “I am taking two online (general education courses) college credit courses now and hope to finish my last general education course in the spring.”

Jill Lowe (right) is a TMP senior taking culinary classes at NCKTC.

With the completion of these courses and the culinary program, Lowe will graduate in May from NCK Tech with a certificate.

“It’s always enjoyable to see students come into our kitchen and not really know how food is prepared and experience it first hand,” commented Chef Kuhn. “Bringing her (Melissa Pinkney) students in for a few hours to experience a different culture’s food is a great way to add to their learning environment.”

Pinkney, who this year brought students from the Spanish Level I and II classes, hopes to continue to make this field trip a yearly event.

For more information on the Culinary program and NCK Tech, contact our web site at www.ncktc.edu. Applications are now being accepted for 2019-2020 school year.