Washougal High culinary students get real-world experience

WASHOUGAL — Washougal High School Advanced Culinary students served up something special on Sept. 26, when they were tasked with making a lunch entree for students and faculty. The Pasta Pronto featured penne pasta with either marinara or Alfredo sauces, and a choice of red onions, sliced olives, spinach and sausage. According to culinary arts teacher Brenda Hitchins, lunch numbers had been low, so they partnered with Sodexo, a food service and hospitality company, for the event. “We had a goal to serve more than 230 lunches and we brought the number up to 208,” Hitchins said in a news release. Students were also tasked with marketing the lunch, using poster and social media announcements on Instagram and Twitter. “Our goal this year is to teach them how to quantify what skills they have so they are able to present this information on different platforms such as a resume, job interview, and volunteer service,” Hitchins said. “Some students struggle to be at school. My goal for this class is not only that they are learning a life skill, but they are finding a reason to want to come to school and participate.”