When students fill out their choices for the following year’s classes, most students choose the required classes or ones that are commonly described as looking good on college applications. After that, students typically go for the easier or funner classes, one of which being culinary at an elective introduction level. What students don’t realize is how beneficial being in culinary can be, especially when they complete the academy in itself.

To get the academy completion certificate, students must complete all three levels of culinary, which are each one year. As students progress to each level, they are expected to be able to make more complex dishes. In the third level of the academy, there is a hospitality and management component added. This is extremely helpful to all students since every job includes some form of hospitality and/or management. Grace Ford (12) commented that “completing the academy has taught me practical life skills such as management, teamwork, cooking, working under pressure, and problem solving I am also currently a teacher assistant for one of the intermediate culinary classes, so I am learning a lot of behind the scenes, [like] skills that are helping me prepare for college”. 

Furthermore, being in culinary is genuinely a fun class to be in, which is one of many perks. Students make lifetime friends and learn a lot about themselves and what they want for their futures in this class. Even if working in the culinary industry is not part of that future, the foundations students get in cooking are fundamental in building that future. Cooking is a major part of everyone’s lives, even if they don’t realize. When people know how to cook, not only are they fueling their bodies with nutritious, healthy food, but they are almost guaranteed to save money. When people cook for themselves, they feel a positive sense of accomplishment, which is also a major plus for mental health in general. The instructor of the academy, Chef Jassman (S), explained that “it’s not only learning about a career path; it’s about life skills that will give them better quality of life in their future if they maintain those skills. It builds confidence, independence and responsibility”. 

Overall, participating in the culinary academy will forever shape students and prepare them for their futures. It is extremely encouraged for students to give the culinary academy a shot if they are able to as it is an extremely beneficial opportunity.