PAA LIFE SKILLS STUDENTS PREPARE DELICIOUS HOLIDAY MEAL

For the seventh year, Pueblo of Academy of Arts Phoenix in Kris Cid’s Life Skills class got an early jump on the Thanksgiving holiday by preparing a multi-course meal for their families and PAA staff.

 

Throughout the year, the Life Skills scholars operate a mobile coffee service for PAA educators and staff. It’s that operation that funds the annual holiday dinner.

 

Food preparation began last week with desserts: the most labor intensive of the operation.

 

“This year we made pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, ‘million dollar bars’ – which have butterscotch and light and dark chocolate with a graham cracker crust – and apple pie bars,” Mrs. Cid said. “We also made ambrosia salad.”

 

Three turkeys, cooked early in the morning, and a ham served as the main course, with sweet and mashed potatoes, salad, stuffing and gravy, and cranberry sauce rounding out the buffet.

 

With staff and family members coming and going throughout the four-hour window, Mrs. Cid and her students expected to feed as many as 200.

 

The reviews were five-star, with patrons complimenting the young chefs on their culinary skills.

 

In addition to cooking skills, the holiday dinner provides Phoenix with an opportunity to learn about budgeting, planning and being of service to others.

 

"My heart and my stomach are full," Mrs. Cid was heard to say after finishing the last of her plate.

 

"And those are both good things to have full," offered Principal Albert Farias as he prepared to start on his.