The Bayonne High School Culinary Academy continues to grow in size and experience since its inception five years ago. This course of study is designed to help students who are interested in culinary arts develop careers in the food industry. Throughout the year the culinary program hosts luncheons when the BHS staff can enjoy an elegant midday meal prepared and served by the culinary students. On the “Day of Desserts” (held during the holiday season) the staff can visit the “kitchen” throughout the day to sample a buffet of delicious desserts.

The culinary program enjoys a collaborative partnership with the city’s grammar schools. During the school year, classes come to the high school to prepare and, of course, eat the treats made with the help of the students enrolled in the program. The ESL classes from Midtown Community School visit Mr. Barbero’s class to learn about a typical Thanksgiving meal and are then given the opportunity to take part in the prepared feast. The students are looking forward to planning and preparing the food for the second annul Pasta Night held at Robinson School scheduled for March 20, 2003. Last year, Mr. Moran, principal of Robinson, asked the culinary class to prepare a dinner for the over 300 people who attended the event.

A diverse array of guest speakers visits the high school to provide students with information about kitchen and fire safety and careers in the culinary industry. Students enrolled in the class have had the opportunity to hear interesting guest speakers from McCabe Ambulance Company, Bayonne Fire Department, the Culinary Division of the US Army, and employees from various local and nationally known restaurants such as: Medieval Times, Mama Rosa’s, Café Bello, Hendrickson’s, the Marriot Hotel, Jose Tajas, the Gasho Hibachi Steakhouse. Students are also given the opportunity to visit many of these restaurants for additional on site experience.

Hands on learning takes on a special significance every Friday when four students go to the Culinary College to work with college students who are enrolled in the culinary arts program at Hudson County Community College. This program, supported and paid for by the Continuing Education Department at Hudson County Community College, is available in only two other high schools in Hudson County.

A partnership has been formed with Mrs. Schaeffer’s and Mr. Olesky’s Desktop Publishing classes to assemble a cookbook containing favorite recipes submitted by teachers and staff members in the district. Many of the family recipes in the cookbook have been passed down from generation to generation. Treasures such as Grandma Giannullo’s Chicken and Spaghetti, Babci Feltrin’s Polish Babka, and Mrs. Pat Sweeney-Kaczka’s Irish Soda Bread can be found in the cookbook. Look for the new edition of the Bayonne High School Culinary Academy Cookbook in early spring.