Woodland chefs earn distinction for culinary program

Woodland — Woodland Public Schools’ culinary arts students have been busy in the kitchen, earning the program some recognition recently both inside and outside of the district. Woodland High School was selected as one of 24 national SkillsUSA National Models of Excellence, which is based on the demonstration of the intentional learning of personal, workplace and technical skills outlined in the SkillsUSA Framework for Student Development. After eating lasagna for lunch at Woodland Middle School one day, eighth-grader Ruth Richards asked Tonya Henderson, Woodland Middle School’s lead cook, if she could bake her family’s chicken lasagna recipe for a school lunch. Ruth received permission from the school to prepare her chicken lasagna with the help of the cafeteria staff. So many students ordered it for lunch the cafeteria ran out. “My friends and family gave me the idea to volunteer to make this recipe for my classmates because I love cooking,” Ruth said in a release from the district. “I like how much fun it is to prepare and cook food, plus it can give you career skills for when you’re older.” Woodland Intermediate School third- and fourth-graders have been in the kitchen, too, competing in the annual Future Chefs of America competition. This year’s theme was Asian Fusion cuisine, and fourth-grader Laynie Comstock won for her Cauliflower Power Fried Rice With Side Kick of Sausage.