Smell what these kids are cooking

The smell of Asian cuisine wafted out of a Isaac L. Sowers’ classroom Friday as seventh- and eighth-grade students finished up their latest culinary masterpiece.

The Chinese chicken salad they made was just one of dozens of recipes Carol Pellet’s students made over the course of the year. The students are enrolled in a Sowers elective course called Kids in the Kitchen ? a class to teach them about health and nutrition in a fun environment, namely cooking.

“They are all about their stomachs at this age,” Pellet said. “This class creates a fun product they get to eat.”

Pellet’s classes are composed predominantly of boys ? one has a whopping 26 boys to six girls ? and most of them will tell you they love the part of the class when they get to eat their lesson.

“I’d probably say my favorite part is the eating,” said eighth-grader Spencer Gaoindo as he lined up four portions of the salad to devour. Spencer, 13, was dubbed the “No. 1 Eater” of the class by Pellet and the other students ? a title Spencer doesn’t mind living up to.

Most would agree that teenage boys will generally eat anything that comes their way. This class focuses on nutrition and eating, which may create a world of healthier eaters as the kids grow up.

“They learn despite themselves,” Pellet said.

Although it seems like fun-and-games as the students work with their groups in six mini-kitchens outfitted with all the essentials, the students do understand their cooking fun goes deeper than learning how to properly cook chicken, bake cookies or stack layers in a casserole dish.

“It’ll help me when I’m in college to learn easy, cheap recipes to make,” said seventh-grader Chris Simmons, 13.

Eighth-grader Tyler Schiltz, 14, agreed with Chris. Not only will the recipes come easily for him, but he said he’ll be able to make choices based on health and nutrition.

Pellet focuses on practicality and uses the food pyramid to teach the students what balanced meals should look like, but makes sure to keep the class fun and entertaining.

“I’ve taught algebra, and kids were always asking, ‘When are we going to use this,’” she said. “Nobody asks me that in this class.”

Although she firmly believes in the current academic standards students are required to uphold, Pellet said home economics and cooking classes teach life skills, which is something that is not always reflected in those standards.

“If we lose them in eighth grade, we’re in trouble,” she said. “I want them to be excited about education, and I think elective programs keep kids excited about learning.”hbi.08-itc-CPhotoInfoG51RNHIQ20060608j0gsodncCHRIS WAGNER / INDEPENDENT(LA)From left, Kylie Walker, Chelsea Fitzsimmons, Brianna Larinto and Brian Gahn saute noodles for their Chinese chicken salad.