Are High School Cooking Classes Vegetarian Friendly?
Posted by admin on February 16, 2010
I really want to take Cooking as one of my electives next year but I’m not sure if it work out well with the fact that I am a vegetarian. I was wondering if any one has taken Cooking in High School and what sorts of things that you cook. I really don’t want to cook meat.
So I was just wondering if I should take it or of it would just be better to pick another class.
I took cooking class up until Year 10 at 5 different schools( I moved lots) and only once was it okay and not an issue to be vegetarian ( I wasn’t vegan then).
On our first lesson the teacher asked everyone in the class if there was an dietary or ethical food issues (she even had a list on the bored from being Islamic, to vegan to lactose intolerance) and whoever was they just told the teacher she made a note of it and went out of her way to make sure there were different options for them.
She even taught me how to make vegetarian mince, she really enjoyed it too and she tried to include the whole class.
So we would have two demonstrations where she would do meat then the vegetarian option including showing us how to prevent cross contamination.
I did cooking for the last two years in senior school (In England) and i really didnt like it.
They never tried to get me to cook meat or anything, but when everyone was cooking there was such a strong smell of meat that several times i had to stop cooking and stand outside because i felt sick, genuinely.
There were modules sometimes when it was difficult for me to work out an interesting recipe as an alternative to meat, because im not that creative when it comes to cooking.
I used a lot of dairy and eggs in my cooking too, and im vegan now so i definately would find it more difficult now.
Although since going vegan ive become more creative in terms of cooking.
I would personally say take a different class, it never taught me how to cook anyway, it was just annoying having to always go out and buy ingredients.
If it’s something you’d tap, then definitely choose it!
On the first day of class, talk to her so she’s aware she has a vegetarian among her students. I can assure you you’re most likely not the only one.
Most food is vegetarian anyways, and if there’s an ingredient like chicken or fish, simply ask your teacher is you can make some substitutions. Or if it’s something less “pick out”-able, like chicken broth, etc., then ask the teacher if you can do an alternate assignment or prepare an alternate dish. If need be, propose that you use soy products for certain things.
If it becomes a problem, talk to your teacher about your diet choices conflict with the class. If the issues increase, speak to your administrator or counselor to see if you can be removed from the class and see if there’s an alternative, like Nutrition Science. Use this measure as a last resort, though.
Well, is there any way you could try to find out who is teaching and get ahold of them to ask questions? If your school has a website, it might be a good idea to try looking there for a phone number or email address. Most school websites do have a list of contact information for all the faculty/staff.
If finding out ahead of time isn’t possible, I’d say go ahead and sign up for the class. On the first day, go a minute early if possible, and try to talk to your teacher about your concerns. (Or wait until the end of class and then try to speak with him/her). If the teacher is unable or unwilling to help make modifications for you, then go speak with your guidance counselor to swap into another class. Usually there are a few days in which students can drop/add classes at the beginning of the new semester, especially if you explain why you want to change.
If you can’t be in this class, you might try looking online for other cooking classes in your area that would be vegetarian friendly. I have seen some offered at community centers and other places (try health food stores) in my area, so it would worth a look. Good luck!
every school/ teacher is differentt. If you sign up for the class on the first day of school (or before) when you get your schedule you can discuse you conserns with your teacher, If it wont work out you can change your schedule the first day or two of school.
this may just be my school, but theres different courses for cooking such as gourmet ( which you do cook meat in ) and pastry ( just deserts ) so maybe when planning your schedule ask your guidance counselor.. they should know!
Ask The Teacher. Or Go To the Cooking Class, And Then Ask The Teacher.
ask your Cooking teacher