Making popcorn and sewing cushions might be what you remember from your days of Home Ec. But in Allen ISD, these simple skills have been replaced with quality education to help students grow.
In the 2010s, Allen High School’s Career Technical Education (CTE) department finished renovations on Blu—the student-run restaurant. This program expanded the previous home economics program into a true culinary arts career program where students learn more than simply prepping a meal.
According to Culinary Team Discipline Lead Chef James Coulter, “Students learn a combination of technique, culture, science, and personal expression. This program is about learning the proper techniques to make food taste good, but also about doing it in a safe manner. Many students do not understand the proper temperatures that make food safe for not only cooking but serving, holding, and storage.”
Through the Hospitality and Tourism Career Cluster, students learn about safety, sanitation, knife skills, and basic culinary instruction around food fundamentals like stocks and sauces, vegetables, and more. Students also learn front of the house operations, which encompass running the dining room and other aspects of restaurant operation. Chef Coulter says, “My goal as a culinary educator is not only to teach students how to cook but also to inspire them to be curious, creative, and confident.”
What’s even more special is that this is one classroom that’s open to the public. According to Chef Coulter, “This academic year, we will be opening our coffee bar for morning coffee and breakfast. The next phase will be to open the Blu kitchen for regular lunch service. Also in the works is to open the Blu patio on football game days for our burger, wings, and BBQ menu.” All of these different offerings will give students a chance to learn new skills and for community members to enjoy their hard work.
If you find yourself craving something tasty and want to contribute to Allen ISD’s strong educational programming, find your way to the Blu restaurant or the Blu patio.