Budding Gourmets Learn Alongside CDS Master Chefs
For years, CDS has offered a Cooking Club to its Senior School students. While the location always varied, sometimes in the staff kitchen or the kitchen behind the Performing Arts Centre, students had fun baking cookies or cupcakes, sometimes even crepes.
Fast forward to three years after the opening of our Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall and now we’re talking next level cooking. This year our Cooking Club meets every Wednesday after school, and is training under the tutelage of culinary extraordinaires, Head Chef Marcello Marano and his assistants, Chefs Francesco, Raimo, Pira and Andrew.
The CDS Cooking Club got underway at the start of second term in mid-November. The first week, Chef Marcello went over the basics, including practicing proper hygiene (hair pulled back, aprons on) when around food, chopping technique and how to make a delicious soup broth.
In the second class, they prepared marinated chicken with rosemary and thyme, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. And this week they learned how to make a popular winter comfort dish, chili and cornbread, which was served for lunch today and absolutely delicious! Oh, and did I mention the students get to bring a sampling of their master dishes home to share with their family?
At the moment, only nine students are reaping the benefits of this incredible new club. Additional Senior School students are welcome to sign-up and join in the coming weeks. What a great way to cap of your day by preparing nutritious gourmet food alongside our very own Master Chefs … guaranteed fun, while learning a life skill! 
In the second class, they prepared marinated chicken with rosemary and thyme, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. And this week they learned how to make a popular winter comfort dish, chili and cornbread, which was served for lunch today and absolutely delicious! Oh, and did I mention the students get to bring a sampling of their master dishes home to share with their family?
“It’s wonderful to watch them prepare such healthy dishes and learn life skills at the same time,” said faculty advisor Krista Edwards. “I’m learning new tricks as well from Chefs Marcello, Francesco, Raimo, Pira and Andrew.”
Darby Moreau, the other club advisor, agrees. “I think the students really look forward to Wednesday afternoons. Not only does Marcello and his team treat them like real cooks by creating so many hands on experiences, but they make the learning component fun as well.”
Each week, the Chefs spend time talking about the ingredients, different spices, and various cooking techniques. It is clear that they are all quite passionate about food preparation and the finished product.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
