23.02.12

Even though Uyen Nguyen was crying her eyes out, Gordon Ramsey was nowhere in sight.

"It's the onions," the West High School senior said, sniffling, laughing and chopping at the same time.

What Ramsey has done for the food service industry through his hit TV show, "Hell's Kitchen," teachers in West High's Hospitality program are hoping to emulate -- in a kinder, gentler way.

"This isn't just learning how to make food and we are not trying to make students into chefs," explained instructor Ilene Dirks. "We want the Hospitality program to become a pathway to a career."

The Hospitality program was initiated this academic year. The program is more than just tossing a salad, frying a hamburger or baking an apple pie. Dirks explained those skills are dealt with in a food preparation class, which is a prerequisite for the Hospitality discipline.

"We are focusing more on the business end of industry," West High family consumer science teacher Katy Rush pointed out. "We are adding such things as field trips to the school district's kitchen, Hy-Vee and Jerry's Pizza. Our hope is to develop relationships with businesses and to take this to the level of internships someday.

Source: Sioux City Journal