BELLEFONTE —
The aroma of cheesy, tomatoey pizza filtered through the air at Bellefonte Country Club Thursday, and the chefs, all 13 or younger, whetted their appetites for the spicy favorite with a couple of chocolate-dipped strawberries, which they made themselves.
The club offered BCC Chef Camp this week to children 7 to 13. The three-day, intensive culinary camp was led by the club’s Chef Chris Ross and his staff, who gave children the chance to go hands-on in the kitchen with some of their favorite foods, and they ate it up.
Sarah Powell, 7, daughter of Jim and Stella Powell of Ashland, said she had a great time.
“I wanted to know how to cook,” she said, adding her parents haven’t let her cook much at home but she hopes they will now that she’s had some formal training.
On the first day of camp, students got a tour of the kitchen with Ross introducing them to his staff and explaining what the equipment is and how it works. They also created a spice mixture and made sugar cookies and received chef’s jackets to wear while cooking to protect their clothing.
Day two brought breakfast — pancakes, ham fruit salad and fruit dip, with students divided into teams, each with a contribution to make.
On Thursday, the final day, students dipped strawberries on skewers and enjoyed pizza they made all by themselves.
“I talked them thought the step from the dough to the toppings,” Ross said. As a safety precaution, the chef placed the pizzas in the oven for the correct amount of time and sliced them into four pieces for each student.
They also ate salad with homemade croutons, which they worked together on, and sundaes.
Graduation day was special for Peter Jenkins, 13. “Today was my favorite part because I love pizza and we get an awesome chef hat today.” Jenkins, son of Allison Burton Brake and Joe Brake of Ashland, even knew the correct term for that hat — a toque.
Thirteen-year-old Angela Patton, daughter of Neil and Paige Patton of Flatwoods, said her parents encourage her to cook at home.
“I wanted to learn,” she said, adding the camp helped her. “I learned how to make breakfast so if my parents are gone I can make breakfast for myself. I also learned how to cut salad properly.”
Mikayla Bonzo was cooking some before camp.
“I like to cook,” the 11-year-old daughter of Tim Bonzo and Cathy Johnson of Wurtland, said. ”This helped me cook a lot of food.”
Ross said he was surprised spots in the camp filled up so quickly; in all, 27 children studied cooking this week. He noted he’s been cooking with his son since he was 2 and thought there would be interest among children in cooking. Son Brady, now 9, helped his father and the kitchen staff teach camp by giving demonstrations.
In addition to hats and jackets, students received diplomas and a packet of information about what they accomplished during camp.
Ross said students performed well this week and he said he hopes cooking will help children become more aware of what they’re eating.
“It’s surprising what young people can do with a little direction and tutelage,” he said.
LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.
Local News
Children create savory eats at Chef Camp
- Local News
-
-
Waiting at her crossroads
A Carter City widow has waited at her crossroads home for a state program to clean up contaminated fuel tanks and soil, and bring to a close a bureaucratic mess that has spanned 20 years.
-
HIGH ACHIEVERS
Scholars and soccer. At Ashland Blazer, that’s quite a match.
-
McConnell optimistic about GOP
Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell says he’s never seen a more favorable political environment for his party than in this year’s elections and he expects “I’ll be the leader of a larger army” after the Nov. 2 elections.
-
POLICE BEAT: Tree trimmer falls to his death
Eric W. Luther, 35, of Ashland, was in the top of a tree removing limbs when he accidentally fell, according to the APD. The incident occurred about 2:10 p.m. in the 2400 block of Forest Avenue.
-
Ricky Skaggs comes home for show in Louisa
Even though people around the world know Ricky Skaggs for his incredible musical abilities, he is well aware of the fact that he must be at his absolute best when he takes the stage in Louisa Saturday evening during the city’s annual Septemberfest celebration.
-
MARK MAYNARD: Jack Miller’s intriguing life story
Jack Miller’s name may not resonate with too many in the Ashland area.
-
Fatality one of 5 in state over weekend
A fatal traffic accident in Greenup County on Sunday was one of five that occurred in Kentucky during the Labor Day weekend.
-
Tiles for 9-11
The three children at one table in Bethany Hale’s kindergarten classroom all painted the twin towers in chocolate brown acrylic with double rows of dots representing windows.
-
Marajuana bust made in Russell
A parking complaint led to the discovery of a sizable indoor marijuana-growing operation by Russell police on Tuesday.
-
Extension to consider arts center
Some Catlettsburg residents hope to start a fine arts center and a restoration movement within the city in one stroke.
- More Local News Headlines
-
