Asian-Inspired Recipes Attract Students
An afterschool cooking class at Hannah Ashton Middle School is so popular that teacher Heather Keane always has a long list of students waiting to participate. Keane started the Pan-Asian Fusion Cooking Class in 2012. Her inspiration came from her travels to several countries and developing a genuine interest in ethnic foods, as well as spending 10 years in fine dining before becoming a teacher.
“I have traveled to the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean,” said Keane. “I also taught English in Funabashi, Japan for a year.”
Keane began teaching the course hoping to encourage students to appreciate other cultures and their unique ingredients by sampling a variety of food from around the world. She says the Pan-Asian fusion came about after she learned to cook with a combination of ingredients from other cultures.
After mastering their favorite recipes, students show off what they have learned by taking some dishes home for their family to try. Other students have been brave enough to cook the dishes on their own at home.
“We don’t use recipes, instead I teach them to use their palates,” said Keane.
This 5-week course meets for two hours every Tuesday with a capacity of 20 students. At the end of the course, students personalize a chef’s apron as a souvenir of the class. Aside from cooking, students also write about their experiences in their learning journals.
Keane credits the Hannah Ashton staff for supporting the club over the past four years.
“This club could not be possible without the support of many people,” she said. “Principal Jamie Wilson has been incredibly supportive by earmarking a portion of the 21st Century funds, Shelley Schmitz, a parapro, whose presence allows for students with disabilities to participate, and Patty Shivener, our school secretary, who arranges bus transportation and sorts through all of my receipts from the Thai, Somali, and Indian grocery stores.’’
Here’s just a sample of the dishes cooked by students – Madras Chicken Curry with Hummus and Naan bread, Fatayas with Hibiscus Tea, Thai Peanut Noodles with Shrimp, Cucumber Sushi with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Honey Soy Dipping Sauce, Beef Sambusas with Vanilla Chai Tea, and many others.
The club has created goodie bags for Teacher Appreciation Week and has catered some afterschool informational meetings for parents.
Keane has taught in Reynoldsburg since 2010, serving as the literacy teacher at Hannah Ashton, grades 5-8 (ELA Plus).
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