The Sunshine Coast Alternative School's Culinary Arts Program has just moved into a space of its own. The course has been offered at the alternative school for nearly four years, but up until recently, teachers and students practised their skills in rented facilities around the Coast.
"The community has been a super help to this program by letting us use their kitchens. Places like Elphinstone and the Legion were really helpful," said superintendent of schools Stewart Hercus.
Cooking skills teacher Marlene Rubin-Stephens has been involved with the program since it began about four years ago, after she had her alternative school class help her fill a catering order.
"I was catering when I worked at Phoenix Alternative School. I was asked to do a catering job during the day, so my class helped me with that and they really seemed to enjoy themselves," said Rubin-Stephens.
She said it was shortly after that test run that the Culinary Arts Program was introduced to the alternative school's curriculum.
Since then, Rubin-Stephens, along with teacher Rick Gibb, have been equipping would-be chefs with the knowledge and accreditation needed to either work in a restaurant after the course or go on to college to receive a higher level of accreditation.
And Rubin-Stephens says the success of students who have taken the culinary arts program is encouraging.
"We have quite a few students now employed on the Coast. Three of them have completed their training at Vancouver Community College and we have one in college in Squamish and one in Malaspina College. Another student is going to college on a full scholarship to Malaspina," said Rubin-Stephens.
One student currently enrolled in the program, Matt Stahl, is using his new-found cooking skills to prepare food at the Ichiban Restaurant and he has entrepreneurial plans for the future.
"I want to open a restaurant with my brother. It would sell a bit of everything. We're still looking for a good location," said 18-year-old Matt.
Another student, Asia Wright, 17, said she is taking the course to boost her employability on the Coast.
"I want to get my Food Safe and other certifications because that will help me get a job in the future," said Asia.
Rubin-Stephens said the success of students in the Culinary Arts Program has a lot to do with their creativity.
"The attendance in this course is always good. Being able to create something is interesting to the students and they enjoy it, so they come every day," she said.
Their new space is in the old community school building at Sechelt Elementary. It is equipped with a fridge, freezer, stove, cooking utensils and lots of counter and cupboard space.
Rubin-Stephens shops at thrift sales to equip the kitchen and community members have come forward with donations to the program.
The space was made available by School District 46 because Hercus said the district knows the program "has been absolutely fantastic and our alternative school is fabulous. I'd say they're second to none in the province. They are always coming up with new and creative courses like this one which is very worthwhile."
For more information on programs offered by the alternative school, phone 604-886-8647.
