Flood Relief via Lasagna

Yesterday I watched the television as many of you did and felt such sorrow for the flood victims. I decided that I was not going to just stand by and watch but help out in some way so I decided that we would cook. I called the Red Cross and asked if I could cook a meal for the shelter set up at the Cobb Civic Center. The lady called me back and told me that I could since I was ServSafe certified but needed to make a meal for 250 people. I immediately called my food service rep and ordered all the food I needed to make my momma's lasagna. I then got on facebook and posted for all culinary students former and current to come out and help.

After all of my planning, I began to worry because I would have to use my Intro students who have only made crepes up to this point and are still learning the basics of sanitation. I could not go to sleep until about 1:30 this morning because of stress. I woke up this morning and devised a plan on how I was going to make this work.

My 2B class was my first class today and they came in having no idea what they were in store for. I announced that we would be cooking today for the Cobb Civic Center. I explained that many people have been left with nothing but the clothes that they left their house with and I felt that it was our duty to serve our community with a hot meal. I also explained that all sanitation must be perfect and we could have no flaws.

We went into the kitchen and I was only expecting for them to get a portion of the prep done and figured they would probably leave the kitchen a mess since they are still learning how to execute basic food and clean up within 90 minutes. Well to my surprise, the kids got all the prep done and left the kitchen clean as a whistle. I don't think I have ever been so proud for them to have worked so hard when they knew they were getting nothing in return. Well we all know that they did a good deed but for kids, they are usually looking for something a little more tangible like food.

I was again shocked by my 4B class (a lovely class with LOTS of character) when they came in and assembled 13 lasagnas perfectly within a very short period of time. Not only did they finish clean up but several stayed after school to help finish the process.

Sorry, I have one more shock. Several students that I had previosly but do not have again this year showed up to help after school also. I am delivering the food tomorrow and have students that will be staying once again after school to cook and deliver the lasagna and garlic bread.

I seriously love cooking like this.