HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Cathedral Unveils New Cafeteria Program

Twenty-five minutes into first period at Cathedral High School, the cafeteria kitchen is alive with energy. Students in hairnets and aprons move with purpose, preparing lunch for more than 1,000 of their classmates. Under the direction of Chef Teacher Luigi Charini, students learn proper techniques for slicing fresh green peppers and tomatoes for the salad bar. At the same time, Chef Baking Teacher, Patricia Carmichael, guides her class through the preparation of nutritious one-bite energy balls for the school's quick "grab-and-go" section. As lunchtime approaches, every student works with focus and anticipation.

The Cathedral cafeteria program is truly unique within our city. It is fully staffed by students! The program not only provides daily meals but also offers students the opportunity to earn hospitality credits while gaining authentic, hands-on, culinary experience and expertise. From knife skills to bread baking, students are mastering professional techniques within a program shaped by the province's food guidelines.

Where cafeteria duties' once meant reheating or deep-frying processed food, today's students are part of a movement toward healthier, from-scratch cooking. At Cathedral, the slow food movement has taken root: students now prepare whole wheat pizza dough by hand, debone chickens for fresh stock, and experiment with wholesome desserts such as black bean brownies.

In addition, Cathedral offers a full range of popular hospitality electives including: baking, culinary skills, and food service. While the province's healthier eating mandate has introduced some challenges, it has also encouraged creativity in the kitchen. Students are learning that healthy food can be both delicious and approachable, discovering joy in recipes such as coconut apple loaf, and other nutrient-rich creations.

After several years of closure, we are proud to announce that Cathedral High School's cafeteria is officially back in business. Students and staff can, once again, look forward to delicious and nutritious homemade pizzas, fresh salad bars, and baked favorites that are sure to make our cafeteria a vibrant hub of the school.