Now We're Cookin'!

Taste buds are humming as we kick off this week's theme of Culinary Arts!

In classes this week, students will be learning about the components of a healthy diet, exploring the differences and similarities between regional dishes of the United States and around the world, and learning key English vocabulary that can be used in their future travels through the grocery stores and restaurants of English-speaking countries!  

To gain an understanding of the foods used in the meals they eat here at the New Hampton campus and what goes into creating healthy and delicious dishes for so many, the AELP group ventured into the kitchen today to get chopping.  They worked together to dice, mix, and prepare the evening meal for the visiting camps and full-time staff at the school.

AELP students are ready to cook! 

It takes a lot of hands to prepare a big meal!

Smiles always help to make a job more fun!

It also doesn't hurt when the job is making cookies!

Fortified with new vocabulary from morning classes and the afternoon's hands-on experience in the kitchen, the students took place in a taste-testing competition tonight.

Rudolf, from Russia, offers Kohsuke, from Japan, the first taste!

Coke versus Pepsi, American cheese versus Muenster, peanut butter versus Nutella, Pickle-flavored potato chips versus Spicy Buffalo & Bleu Cheese-flavored chips... you name it, the students tried it!

Hiro, from Japan, looks on as Filippo, from Italy, taste tests peanut butter.

Andreana, from Italy, waits as Veronika, from Czech Republic, decides what she's trying!

While recognizing the difference between Coke and Pepsi may have been too close to call, and pinpointing raspberry as the flavor of one of the two jellies offered was the most difficult, the students all agreed that the taste-test competition was a hit.

Sakura, from Japan, bravely tries the next secret item while Lucrezia, from Italy, records her decision!

Thanks to the New Hampton kitchen staff for opening up their doors to the AELP students today and inviting us back for some baking fun later in the week!