XAVERIAN'S CORNER

Cooking with Chef Lawrence
Compiled by Ms. Aimee Apolinario, HS Assistant Principal for Academics

Posted Saturday, 25-Nov-2006 10:09 AM

      This school year, Xavier School pioneered the Xavier Electives Program (XELECT) to the sophomore batch. Among the sought-after courses was the Basic Culinary Skills class handled by Chef Lawrence Zafra, sous chef at Café Ysabel.

      After the first semester, the students have been taught roasting, grilling, and braising among others. Included also in the first semester of the course were kitchen safety and sanitation as well as food handling and knife skills.

      Here are excerpts from students’ essays after one semester with Chef Lawrence.

• There have been many changes in my life when I joined this course. I learned how to cook well and cook for my family. Sometimes I think that I just give problems to my parents but now that I cook for them, I feel good because somehow I can make my parents happy. They were at first shocked when I first told them that I would cook for them because they know that I did not know how but after the meal I know that the food was good to make them full. (Vincent Sy,H2F)

• In general, any cooking method is fine with me but I prefer steaming because is most healthful. Although fried food seems tastier and more appealing to my age group, I have tried cooking steamed fish at home and my family loved it! It was fulfilling to see that I nothing was left of the food that I prepared…except of course for the bones. (Bing Ervin Ong, H2D)

• This class has helped me a lot. I now know more about cooking. I can use my skills to impress my parents or maybe even girls since not a lot of boys my age can cook. Also, my taste buds improved. I can tell what ingredients were used and determine if the food is too salty or too bland. Most importantly, I discovered that cooking is a good way to lift one’s spirits when he is down and feeling blue. (Ramon Sto. Domingo, H2A)

• I am interested in cooking so I am determined to do well in this course and create a dish that is very delicious. I also consider this as an alternative hobby. Aside from cooking for one’ self, he can also teach his siblings and other people how to cook. I hope that this course will still be available in the coming years so that our skills will be more developed. (Neil Chuacuco, H2D)

• I believe that this course does not only teach to cook, but it also nourishes friendships. Since we were allowed to pick our XELECT course and our group mates in class, I was able to be with my barkada . Being in this class allowed my friends and I to make our friendship stronger. We had the opportunity to do something that not all barkadas could do together. Through cooking, we were able to bond by doing something new. (Rance Paglin, H2E)

• I think roasting is the best. The chicken we ate was so good. The lemon juice probably enhanced the taste even more. I was completely satisfied and happy that day. Cooking this semester has been fun and exciting. The only bad thing that can happen is perhaps to get hit by hot oil as you fry food, but the moment people taste your food and say, “Wow! Ang sarap!” Your sad face will immediately turn into a happy one. Thus, I look forward to Friday – better day…better food. (Mitchell Go, H2G)

Go back to the top ^