IN THE CLASSROOM -- Now they’re cookin’

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA - In less than an hour, students made heart-shaped biscuits

from scratch and ate them with jam and butter at a properly set table.

When students entered Gail Knieriem’s cooking class at Estancia High

School on Monday morning, it was straight to work.

“Preheat your ovens and follow your directions,” Knieriem announced.

“We’re baking and eating today.”

I chose an unlikely crew of four freshman boys to observe who, as it

turns out, ran an efficient kitchen and made delicious biscuits.

As they stood at the counter in the school kitchenette, each boy took

a position based on his duties.

Abel Bustos, 14, acted as the chef on the project, with Juan Hernandez

assisting. The other two had their own jobs: Jessie Moreno, 15, was the

“waiter” and charged with setting the table, and Omar Montillo, 15, was

on cleanup detail. All four read directions and gave advice freely.

Apparently, no one found it strange, however, when Juan measured the

stick of butter by squishing it into the measuring cup, wrapper and all,

instead of just reading the package. Whatever works for them, I guess.

There was a bit of dissension when it came to kneading the dough. In

fact, Juan was replaced as kneader when the other three agreed he was

doing it wrong.

That’s an argument you don’t see between high school boys very often.

“You’re going to dry it out,” warned Jessie, as Abel used a liberal

amount of flour.

They were the first group to get their biscuits in the oven and their

area cleaned up.

Only one little problem -- they forgot to set the timer. But, no

worries, Jessie remembered in time.

Unfortunately, he then proceeded to learn what every cook does at some

point -- those oven mitts that you’re supposed to put your hand into do

not work.

The most impressive thing I observed was Knieriem coaching them on

proper etiquette and manners -- something they picked up on beautifully.

Bravo.

* IN THE CLASSROOM is a weekly feature in which Daily Pilot education

writer Danette Goulet visits a campus within the Newport-Mesa Unified

School District and writes about her experience.