Yes, that latte was exceptional.
Students in Kelsey Gibson’s Culinary Arts class at Nacogdoches High School got some professional training Tuesday with the new commercial grade espresso machine purchased earlier this year.
Layne McNamara, the barrister trainer at Java Jack’s in Nacogdoches, made the initial latte, demonstrating the Breville espresso machine’s features while moving methodically through the drink-making steps with students gathered closely around the counter to watch.
McNamara ground the coffee beans, tamped down the grounds, and steamed the milk in a stainless steel cup. (This was an important part of the process, McNamara told students, explaining how he used the heat of the cup to determine the proper temperature of the milk.)
Then, students themselves begin moving through the steps, with each group producing a latte.
Ultimately, the culinary classes at NHS will add lattes and some other coffee drinks to their Dragon’s Roast Coffee Shop menu. Setting prices, creating an ordering system, and delivering drinks around the school are all part of Gibson’s approach to project-based-learning. She wants the students to recognize that being a barista isn’t “just” a job, but both a career and an art form.
The Career & Technical Education Department purchased the Breville espresso machine earlier this year and now, students in Gibson’s class will work out the kinks and get ready to roll out some new offerings for staff at the high school campus.
Java Jack’s owner Sarah Patton came to Gibson’s class last week calibrating the espresso machine and preparing it for use by students.
Culinary Arts is the second of four courses offered at NHS related to the planning, directing, or coordinating activities of a food and beverage organization. Students first take Introduction to Culinary Arts and can wrap up their course work with Advanced Culinary Arts and a practicum, providing students with dual credit offered in conjunction with Lamar State College-Port Arthur.