Students in Punahou’s Summer Programs are sharpening their culinary skills in the Middle School Culinary Bootcamp, a hands-on summer course for seventh and eighth graders that introduces the fundamentals of cooking while exploring flavors from around the world.
Throughout the five-week class, students learn essential techniques such as proper knife handling, food preparation and key cooking methods as they create a variety of dishes inspired by Asian and European cuisines. After preparing brunch favorites during the second week of the program, students recently turned their attention to sauces and Japanese food, making a curry sauce to accompany chicken katsu and a flavorful sauce for handmade udon noodles.
In the coming weeks, students will continue expanding their skills by working with proteins like fish and desserts, before concluding the session with a multi-course dining experience. The young chefs will prepare and serve a complete meal for invited VIP guests, showcasing the techniques and confidence they have developed throughout the summer.
Middle School Culinary Bootcamp is one of the many hands-on learning opportunities available through Punahou’s Summer Programs, giving students the chance to explore new interests, build practical cooking skills and learn alongside their peers during the summer months.
Photos by Kathleen Connelly