Eighth grade boys with Chef Emily Ellyn, prepping their vegetable sauce for atop their hand-mde pasta. (Photographer: Shelly Villanueva)
by Janice Banks
Orlando Junior Academy, College Park, Fla., recently held a nine-week Edible Ed Class where core curriculum subjects were integrated. The final exam for the class was a competition.
Students worked in teams to create hand-made pasta and healthy, tasty sauces based on ingredients provided. Some of the herbs for the competition were harvested fresh from the Edible Schoolyard Garden. The winning eighth grade team, Small Chefs, Big Flavors, was treated to lunch at K Restaurant, compliments of Chef Kevin Fonzo.
Principal Anthony Oucharek expressed his gratitude to the judges, “Thank you for sharing your valuable time and expertise with our students. The students were so excited to show off their new skills and knowledge in front of such distinguished guests,” which included local chefs and community leaders: Kathleen Blake, owner/chef, and sous chef; Reanna McNamara of The Rusty Spoon; Greg Richie of Soco Restaurant; Dawn Viola of This Honest Food, Mark Kusche of Alfond Inn; Pam Brandon of Edible Orlando Magazine, local celebrity Emily Ellyn, as well as kid celebrities Zac Kara, Julie Wilder, and Terri Matthias.
Orlando Junior Academy, established in 1906, offers a high standard of academics in a loving Christian atmosphere for PreK-8th grade. The Edible Education Experience is led by Kevin Fonzo, owner/chef of K Restaurant in College Park; Sarah Cahill, certified raw food chef; Brad Jones, gardener; and Janice Banks, executive director.
Orlando Junior Academy, College Park, Fla., recently held a nine-week Edible Ed Class where core curriculum subjects were integrated. The final exam for the class was a competition.
Students worked in teams to create hand-made pasta and healthy, tasty sauces based on ingredients provided. Some of the herbs for the competition were harvested fresh from the Edible Schoolyard Garden. The winning eighth grade team, Small Chefs, Big Flavors, was treated to lunch at K Restaurant, compliments of Chef Kevin Fonzo.
Principal Anthony Oucharek expressed his gratitude to the judges, “Thank you for sharing your valuable time and expertise with our students. The students were so excited to show off their new skills and knowledge in front of such distinguished guests,” which included local chefs and community leaders: Kathleen Blake, owner/chef, and sous chef; Reanna McNamara of The Rusty Spoon; Greg Richie of Soco Restaurant; Dawn Viola of This Honest Food, Mark Kusche of Alfond Inn; Pam Brandon of Edible Orlando Magazine, local celebrity Emily Ellyn, as well as kid celebrities Zac Kara, Julie Wilder, and Terri Matthias.
Orlando Junior Academy, established in 1906, offers a high standard of academics in a loving Christian atmosphere for PreK-8th grade. The Edible Education Experience is led by Kevin Fonzo, owner/chef of K Restaurant in College Park; Sarah Cahill, certified raw food chef; Brad Jones, gardener; and Janice Banks, executive director.