Left to right: Arla Sutton, Zora Leck, Sam Sutton, T J Liblik, Ricky Hughes and Kashi Campbell. Unable to attend: Evan King, Ingrid Hanson and Jefferson Freeman
By Madie Murray
Rainy days are always great days to cook and last Sunday six budding Student Chefs assembled at Red Rabbit Farm for an all day cooking class with Christina. This special class was the first place prize given by Red Rabbit Farm and won by this year’s Elementary Level Student Chef winners Arla Sutton and Zora Leck.
The prize was originally to be a family cooking day for Arla and Zora, but Arla and Zora wanted to share their gift with all of the kids who competed with them, and so it became a cooking class with friends who love to cook. It was a truly special day, indeed.
So, with aprons on and enthusiasm ruling the day, six bright faces stood ready to chop, dice, peal, prepare and learn from the master, Christina Orchid.
Christina was ready with tables all set up, cutting boards, and knives. She had a big round pot for a one-pot meal at the demonstration table. The kids loved the mirror above the table. She demonstrated how to cut up a whole chicken, season, and roast in the oven.
Sam and Zora painstakingly adorn their cakes
Then the kids helped prep carrots, potatoes, fennel, garlic, and she talked about adding spices and which ones. All went into the pot with chicken stock and the roasted chicken. She talked about how it could be made with any kind of meat, or beans, and lots of different fresh, organically grown vegetables.
After a romp in the big open field when the sun peeked through, they came in and Christina had prepared eight mini cakes for them to frost. She made Italian butter cream frosting and taught them how to cut it in half for a layer cake (no easy task!), and to apply a crumb coat so it looks professional. Then each kid got a pastry bag for decorating. They loved it! They all took a cake home.
It was a good day had by all. Thank you Christina for sharing your passion so generously with our kids!
Correction! Eight student chefs actually participated … Evan King and Nisha Woolworth were also there enjoying the day with Christina.