Mount Si High School’s Culinary Arts students impressed local fire fighters and police during a luncheon they catered at the Fire Training Academy in North Bend. As a result, Washington State Patrol Lieutenant Daniel J. Atchison, who is the Commander of the Fire Training Academy, presented the group with the State Fire Marshall’s Commendation Award.

Atchison visited the students at school and toured the Wildcat Court kitchen before presenting the award, for their service, professionalism, and menu.

Students in Mount Si’s Culinary Arts program not only learn to prepare an array of food, they gain real world experiences in the food service industry, through the cafe, and the catering program. Teacher Laura Tarp said students in the catering program will work with clients, price out menus, and return to the client with a formal contract specifying the event information, and setting expectations for the menu, delivery, setup and cleanup. They will also send invoices to clients after events. Math, writing, communication, time management, and team work are all part of the process.

“Several of our students, who have gone on to hospitality or culinary higher education, have let me know that they had a great head start because of the class,” said Tarp.

For more information about the culinary program, send e-mail to Tarp at tarpl@svsd410.org.