Fisher's Mom
Executive Chef
I tried the naked thing but it didn't work out too well for me . . . It seems there are some crazy laws about that.You can run around naked, walk, and people got by for tens of thousands of years without computers,
I tried the naked thing but it didn't work out too well for me . . . It seems there are some crazy laws about that.You can run around naked, walk, and people got by for tens of thousands of years without computers,
I basically agree with you, Pancho, but I'm going to play the devil's advocate here.
We all wear clothes everyday. Shouldn't everyone be capable of making a dress and a pair of pants, if necessary? Most of us drive cars at least some of the time. Shouldn't we all be able to perform all the required maintenance and at least simple car repairs? What about plumbing skills? Don't we all use the facilities every day?
We have a young woman who stays with us often and we have come to affectionately call her our "rent-a-daughter". When we first met her, she was not interested in cooking whatsoever because her mother NEVER cooked and didn't even have a stove in the house (seriously).
We had known her awhile but the first time we spent time together was when DH and I volunteered to cook for one week at a youth camp. She was assigned as kitchen helper and did not have a clue. I assigned her things like peeling potatoes or making salad at first and could see she was watching every move I made in cooking the main items. By the second day she was asking questions and assisting on harder tasks, but needing lots of help. I had never seen a 20 year old who had NEVER had anything to do with preparing food. By the end of the week I could see that she really wanted to learn.
She came to live with us for awhile after and would often ask to help with dinner and even made a few of her own. The following summer she asked if I would give her a reference for a camp cook position for 2 months. When I got the reference called I found out it was a "head cook" position. She got it and while it was a struggle, she did very well.
Last summer when we went away for 3 months to cook at another camp she stayed at our house and had access to all my cookbooks and culinary school books. By the time we got back she was out-cooking me! I was so proud.
I think what a lot of it is boils down to is a passion to learn, no matter what your background. I agree in many cases "I can't cook" relates to "I don't want to cook"; however, in this case this person had absolutely no exposure to cooking and has turned into a really good cook with a little encouragement.
Amen!!!! Sadly, so many things like home ec, shop, music, art and even PE have been discontinued in school. I know that even when I was in school, there was no home ec or shop at the school I went to. It would have helped a lot if I had even had one semester of home ec.At risk of derailing this thread my opinion is that shcools could focus a bit more on providing basic life skills (home ec, autoshop etc) instead of test scores.
You deserve a huge pat on the back for this! Anytime a person takes the time and makes the effort to teach another, you change their lives!!!I think what a lot of it is boils down to is a passion to learn, no matter what your background. I agree in many cases "I can't cook" relates to "I don't want to cook"; however, in this case this person had absolutely no exposure to cooking and has turned into a really good cook with a little encouragement.
We have a young woman who stays with us often and we have come to affectionately call her our "rent-a-daughter". When we first met her, she was not interested in cooking whatsoever because her mother NEVER cooked and didn't even have a stove in the house (seriously).
We had known her awhile but the first time we spent time together was when DH and I volunteered to cook for one week at a youth camp. She was assigned as kitchen helper and did not have a clue. I assigned her things like peeling potatoes or making salad at first and could see she was watching every move I made in cooking the main items. By the second day she was asking questions and assisting on harder tasks, but needing lots of help. I had never seen a 20 year old who had NEVER had anything to do with preparing food. By the end of the week I could see that she really wanted to learn.
She came to live with us for awhile after and would often ask to help with dinner and even made a few of her own. The following summer she asked if I would give her a reference for a camp cook position for 2 months. When I got the reference called I found out it was a "head cook" position. She got it and while it was a struggle, she did very well.
Last summer when we went away for 3 months to cook at another camp she stayed at our house and had access to all my cookbooks and culinary school books. By the time we got back she was out-cooking me! I was so proud.
I think what a lot of it is boils down to is a passion to learn, no matter what your background. I agree in many cases "I can't cook" relates to "I don't want to cook"; however, in this case this person had absolutely no exposure to cooking and has turned into a really good cook with a little encouragement.
At risk of derailing this thread my opinion is that shcools could focus a bit more on providing basic life skills (home ec, autoshop etc) instead of test scores.
Amen!!!! Sadly, so many things like home ec, shop, music, art and even PE have been discontinued in school. I know that even when I was in school, there was no home ec or shop at the school I went to. It would have helped a lot if I had even had one semester of home ec.
Completely true! I'm pretty sure we all regard teachers as unsung heroes. And they certainly have the least amount of input as to what each year's curriculum and requirements will be. Still, I've seen blame laid upon teachers for all the problems in school systems so it's good that you point this out. I was just commenting on how sad it is that these things are no longer available to kids. It's just as sad that very few moms can be stay at home for any length of time so that they could help teach these things. But I don't blame moms for having to work to provide for the family's basic needs.As someone who is married to a former schoolteacher now in administration, I have to say it's not "the schools" that focus on test scores - it's parents and politicians. They are the ones who demanded and passed the laws mandating practically constant testing - trust me, teachers don't like it. They went into teaching because they like *teaching*.
And school districts are not the ones who cut taxes to the point that many schools can no longer afford to offer "frills" like home ec, music, art and PE. Those subjects don't get tested, so they don't get taught. If your job depended on high test scores, you'd teach to the test, too.
Completely true! I'm pretty sure we all regard teachers as unsung heroes. And they certainly have the least amount of input as to what each year's curriculum and requirements will be. Still, I've seen blame laid upon teachers for all the problems in school systems so it's good that you point this out. I was just commenting on how sad it is that these things are no longer available to kids. It's just as sad that very few moms can be stay at home for any length of time so that they could help teach these things. But I don't blame moms for having to work to provide for the family's basic needs.
Amen!!!! Sadly, so many things like home ec, shop, music, art and even PE have been discontinued in school. I know that even when I was in school, there was no home ec or shop at the school I went to. It would have helped a lot if I had even had one semester of home ec.
You deserve a huge pat on the back for this! Anytime a person takes the time and makes the effort to teach another, you change their lives!!!
Kudos to you for this, Dave! That's what my neighbor and my friends here did for me - taught me the basics that make the difference in a successful dish or one that goes in the trash. You're a gem and I'm very glad you found DC!One of me best friends swore she could not cook and could no "use that bottom thing" (the oven). She could use the outdoor grill, but not the stove or oven. She always loved to come to dinner and loved my cooking. So I offered to teach here. Simple as that. I asked her what she wanted to learn to make first so she would make somenthing SHE wanted. She picked apple pie, so she could make it for here husband. I found a very basic pie and used a refrigerated crust. We made 2. I made one and she made one, step-by-step together. Success! And as we were baking I learned a few things that were her basic problems. She never preheated the oven, just turned it on and put the food in and she always left the rack at the lowest setting. We had a few other lessons, burgers, chicken, other basic things. She learned not to use the hightest setting on the burners, except to boil water, how to preheeat a pan other basics. No she calls me when she tries a new recipe or has a success.
Now we get together every year to bake dozens and dozens of christmas cookies over tow days (the record was 12 different types of cookies that made about 5 dozen each) and split the results!
I wish i could find someone that would care enough to let me help em!
Everyone I know thinks i go to too much trouble to cook.... make too much work for myself. I CANNOT convince them that I love love love it, and it is not work to me. It's fun! I know they know i think its fun but i cant tell them in any way shape or form it is NOT work to me!!
The dishes on the other hand......
When we started doing the videos, my friends and family immediately divided into two camps. The one that thinks I'm nuts for bothering, and the other that has recently begun asking for specific things to be done for the videos. lol. So I feel both sides of this debate. Everyone CAN cook, but not everyone WILL cook.
As someone who is married to a former schoolteacher now in administration, I have to say it's not "the schools" that focus on test scores - it's parents and politicians. They are the ones who demanded and passed the laws mandating practically constant testing - trust me, teachers don't like it. They went into teaching because they like *teaching*.
And school districts are not the ones who cut taxes to the point that many schools can no longer afford to offer "frills" like home ec, music, art and PE. Those subjects don't get tested, so they don't get taught. If your job depended on high test scores, you'd teach to the test, too.
Belive me garlic I know... my family is all teachers. I see my parents frustration first hand.
I had home ec and woodshop in 7th and 8th grade (late 80s) I dont think they offer it anymore. Certainly the HS does not. It is a shame especially since not all kids are college track. Being able to take a standardized test is probably less useful to them than knowing how to roast a chiken of change thier oil.
I currently live in a rather rough urban area. The long notorious HS in my neigborhood was recently re-structed into smaller "theme" based schools one of which is a culinary track. The students have been involved in catering community events and have participated in cultivating a herb garden on one of our many vacant lots. So far it seems to be a sucessful idea. The kids are learning something in addition to basic curriculm that may actually help them gain employment and becoming more engaged in the neighborhood. I am hopful for the success of this program as we have way too many youth here with no life skills and few prospects. if the culinary and othe programs help even a few of them broaden thier world view beyond the hood it will be a good thing.