Food Studies

Getting back into the kitchen

As the new year starts all our students are eager to be back in the kitchen applying their theory to the practical class. To make sure families get to share the benefits of these classes our expectation is for students to bring a container to take (some of) their food home. Please remind your child to remember a container for their practical Food Studies classes. 

In VCE Food Studies Unit 3, students study the science of food. This encompasses content from digestion and absorption of nutrients through to understanding how to best select nutritionally balanced meals.  

This week students used an online nutrient calculator, to compare the nutritional value of a store-bought burger and wedges with what they prepared in class.  

The preparation of the burger and fries provided opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of food preparation techniques and cooking processes. 

As part of a unit on food hygiene and safety, the Year 10 Café Culture students prepared and cooked flavoursome ‘Lemon Chicken Bites’ with tangy ‘Pear and Parmesan Salad’, dressed in apple cider vinegar and oil. Throughout the preparation of the dish students were tasked with addressing issues of personal hygiene and work safety in the kitchen. 

The focus was on personal hygiene when cooking; kitchen hygiene with equipment use and work stations and finally food safety when cooking with raw poultry.

Students completed a sensory analysis of the two products and evaluated their own ability to follow food safety protocols. The vegan/vegetarian option was Lentil Bites with Pear Salad! A fantastic effort overall. 

Lorraine Lockhart and Silkra Harvey