Riverside Polytechnic High School students in the school's culinary arts program are now cooking in a new classroom modeled on a professional commercial kitchen, after Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) officials cut the ribbon on the space Sept. 9.
The classroom, called Grizzly Grill, is home to Poly's Culinary Arts & Services pathway, one of the district's Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that pair academic coursework with hands-on job training. Students in the pathway prepare dishes such as honey garlic chicken, Korean BBQ chicken tacos and crème brûlée, and they learn to plan full menus, work alongside professional chefs and organize catered events as a team.
The pathway is meant to prepare students for jobs as chefs, pastry chefs, caterers, food truck operators, event planners, restaurant managers, food stylists and private chefs, according to the district. RUSD said the skills can also lay groundwork for careers that require more schooling, including food science, dietetics and culinary education. The district also offers the program at Ramona High School.
The new space includes stainless steel equipment, specialized cooking stations, cold storage and freezer units. An instructional zone at the front of the room features a chef demonstration area equipped with cameras and screens, facing rows of tables that seat up to 30 students, so students can watch techniques up close and follow along in real time.
"This facility brings together modern design and professional-grade equipment to give our students a realistic environment where they can refine their craft, explore their creativity, and pursue excellence in the culinary world," Principal Steven Ybarra said in a statement.
RUSD offers 25 programs and 52 individual pathways aimed at preparing students for college and careers, according to the district.
"We are expanding opportunities for our students to discover their strengths, develop real-world skills, and explore careers that align with their interests and goals," Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas said in a statement.
Llamas was joined at the ceremony by Board of Education President Dr. Noemi Hernandez Alexander, board members Dale Kinnear and Brent Lee, and Harold Lovett, who leads Poly's Culinary Arts & Services department. After the ribbon cutting, students in the program served visitors pineapple soft serve made in the new kitchen.
More information about RUSD's Career Technical Education pathways is available at riversideunified.org.