About the Program

The culinary training at Auburn High School is designed to provide high school students with an opportunity to work in professional kitchens, a bake shop and a white linen dining room, all operated by the Culinary Arts Program. Teamwork and leadership skills are emphasized in this workplace training program. Grades and credits are directly tied to performance and attendance in the same way that pay and promotion are related to performance and attendance in the foodservice industry.

Students are offered the prospect of working alongside a staff of skilled culinary professionals who provide the total food offerings to a 2000 student comprehensive high school. Beginning level students learn to find their way in a professional kitchen and acquire skills to be able to offer large quantity food selections in the Culinary Arts cafeteria and snack bar outlets. This initial training covers a period of two semesters.

Those students accepted into the advanced section of the culinary arts program work in the Café Auburn kitchen and dining room during two class periods per day. The day’s offerings begin with the Café Auburn Espresso bar during the before-school breakfast segment and finish with the preparation and service of lunch accompanied by fresh flowers, subdued lighting and classical piano and guitar music in the Café Auburn dining room.