This month has been very productive with the launch of a few ideas I have had for fundraising for the culinary program. One is the CCA Culinary Cafe. Every 1st Thursday we serve pre-ordered lunch to our staff, the board of education staff, the alternative school staff and students. This was our inaugural lunch which consisted of Sun-dried tomato pesto pasta, grilled chicken, garlic bread, white/milk chocolate chip cookies from scratch and Sweeeeeeet Tea for $6. Our gross sales were a little over $320.
There are several things I love about this (besides the money). I pull a few students from my intro classes to help package everything and a few advanced students to help prepare. The students I tend to choose to help first are those who seem to have a problem with authority, who may be the class clown or who generally seem like they don't want to be there. So far, no one has turned down the opportunity. They get to come to my class shortly after I arrive and spend the day or 2 depending on what needs to done. This may be against a seasoned teacher's recommendation, however, my strategy was (and I have found) that spending time with me in this "different" type of setting gives them a bridge or better understanding of what our end result is - Foodservice Operations. They get to see me interact with other students from other classes, they spend my planning and lunch with me and even after school if needed. I believe being chosen makes them feel special and the perspective they have gained has given them a better attitude in class. They pay attention better and are more comfortable around me and in the kitchen even if they had not prepared anything yet. Knowing where the items are in the pantry has been a great help to their groups.
I am putting on the final touches but, coming up on October 29th, we will have our 1st meeting for our Culinary Club called The Upper Crust. This will provide time after school in a relaxed setting to work on baking and decorating skills as well as specialty items we don't have time to do in class. We have Frankenstein cupcakes, Spider bites and Candy Apples on the agenda for 17 participants. I'm excited!
We also have 5 Skills USA advisors (including myself) who came up with Fun Food Fridays and Muffin Mondays. Last week I did Nacho Tacos. You cut the side out of a small Dorito bag and fill it with taco meat, salsa, cheese, lettuce, jalapeno and sour cream to order. I find that the once the students see something different, they began to think outside of the box when putting together their plates. Between that, sweet tea and pickles, we made $200. The students really get excited about it and they like that we are doing it to make their costs cheaper when we go on trips or do events. Besides, they have bottomless pits for stomachs and never miss an opportunity to eat.
October has proven to be a busy month!
Can I come and eat with you all????? We are always trying to come up with creative fundraising ideas for HOSA, and I just got a few from you!!
ReplyDeleteAnytime Akisa! There's always room at our table! Coming up with things can be a challenge. Pricing the ideas is another challenge. We are always trying to decrease costs, increase profits and not compromise the product. For our nacho tacos, we ditched the fresh salsa. Although it's a nice touch, the students are turned off by the onions (and honestly do not appreciate the flavor). Hey, I just want their continued business. I find they are happy eating, they don't care too much about what it is. It can be difficult for me to keep it simple. Which were you going to use? A few people at other schools have called about the nachos and have been doing it very successfully. If a business can donate the nachos and/or meat, that would be the best bet. Happy FUNdraising!
ReplyDelete