Cooking Up Confidence: Kitchen Tips from PCS Students
Cooking class at PCS is about more than just food. It’s a place to build confidence, explore creativity, and learn skills that make life better. Students come together to prepare meals, try new ingredients, and practice important safety habits while having a lot of fun along the way.
Kitchen Hygiene Tips
Good hygiene is one of the most important parts of cooking. Before anyone starts working in the kitchen, students talk about how to stay clean and safe.
Rules for Basic Self-Hygiene
- Wear clean clothes
- Avoid baggy clothes or jackets in the kitchen
- Be clean and showered for work
- Wash your hands thoroughly before starting
- Cover hair and/or beard with a hairnet
- Wear aprons to protect your clothes and skin from spills
Handwashing Tips
- Wash hands for at least 15 seconds and rinse thoroughly
- Use songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday” (sing twice) to make sure it’s long enough
- Keep your hands clean during food preparation
- Avoid touching your face or hair
Tools You Need
Students practice using everyday kitchen tools safely with support from staff. These tools help them cook a variety of meals..
- Microwave
- Stovetop (induction)
- Pots and pans
- Whisks
- Colanders
- Knives
- Cutting board
- Bowl
- ToasterAir fryer
Spices
Simple ingredients can be transformed with the right seasoning. These are the basic spices and cooking fats students use regularly in class:
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oil or butter
Why Cooking Class Is Awesome
Cooking class is a favorite for many PCS students. It’s a chance to learn real-life skills, explore foods from different cultures, and feel proud of their work in the kitchen and above all taste the food that is prepared!
Benefits of Learning To Cook
- Builds independence and self-confidence
- Helps develop fine motor skills
- Encourages communication and teamwork
- Supports creativity and trying new foods
- Connects cooking to real-world skills like budgeting and planning
- Prepares students for possible future jobs in food service
What Students Say
“I love cutting veggies and chicken and washing my hands. It makes me feel good.” – Dixie
“Delicious.” – JJ
“I get to express myself in the kitchen. I like the freedom I get, unlike other classes.” – Mateo
“My favorite part is shopping!” – Mary
“I love learning how to cook different food and the food pyramid.” – Yasmina
“I made beans and tacos de papas.” – Cindy
“I like learning about different cultures of food.” – Ron
Join PCS Cooking Class
If you want to learn how to cook, try new foods, and build real-life skills, join the PCS cooking class! It’s a fun way to get creative, stay healthy, and work together with friends.
Check our calendar for more fun classes and events at PCS!
