100Gs secured for new equipment in school kitchen

Roast loin of pork with portobello marsala, accompanied by roasted sweet potatoes and sautéed green beans, sounds like a meal served at one of Staten Island's fine dining establishments.

It's also what students at South Richmond High School are preparing.

And there's lots more where that comes from.

City Councilman Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore) and state Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore) have each secured $50,000 to fund new kitchen equipment, allowing students in the culinary program of the Pleasant Plains school to have a more professional experience.

"It will help us make more and provide better stuff," said Sergio Sullivan, a 14-year-old freshman from Rosebank.

The program, which is an elective at the school, is designed not only to help prepare students for a career in culinary arts, but to impart practical life skills, such as how to make nutritional meals at home.

For the past 20 years, the program has scraped by using donated items, which in most cases were not in the best of condition.

The $100,000 in grants will pay for professional equipment, including double-door refrigerators and freezers, pannini grills, a charbroiler and a new stove, among other items.

It will also allow for the creation of additional work stations were students can chop vegetables, prepare sandwiches and salads or gather their ingredients.

Students get to taste the food they prepare, as well as sell and serve it to faculty.

"They [school officials] came to us on behalf of you and all your fellow students and wanted to make sure you had the best to learn the skills you will need," said Lanza, who along with Ignizio was asked to create a specialty pannini.

"This time next year ... we'll have a state-of-the art kitchen."

Ignizio explained that the state money he secured for the school was just "a small step to prepare you for the future."

As students chopped basil, stirred sauce and rolled wraps, Ignizio and Lanza took some lessons on the proper way to cut up chicken and heard from the students about how the program is helping them.

Simone Washington, a 14-year-old from Mariners Harbor, said she learned the secret to cooking a good turkey or chicken and will use her newfound skill to help her family prepare Thanksgiving dinner.

"You need to cook it in a low pan," said the freshman. "That way, it allows for air flow."

Michelle Maskaly is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at maskaly@siadvance.com.

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