Huntley High School (HHS) offers a career and technical education culinary program that teaches students foundational cooking, baking, and food safety skills. Courses cover topics such as culinary preparation, nutrition, various cuisines, and service styles. Students learn to work with ingredients, convert recipe measurements, and explore multiple cooking techniques.
Joanne Thomas, HHS culinary teacher, has held all kitchen positions, from line cook to corporate chef consultant, in restaurants, banquet halls, and corporate foodservice suppliers. She has her own catering business and is an international travel chef.
HHS student chefs (L to R) Elijah Muze, Zilfije (Sofi) Ramadani, Juliana Sindelar, Gwendolyn Campbell, and Liliana Wean are the creators of their Smash Stack Deluxe burger soon to be featured on the Jameson’s menu in Sun City. (Photo provided)
Thomas said, “The students were tasked with developing an original beef burger recipe. It is such a pleasure to educate our future in the field of culinary. I truly enjoy when the kids get excited about their accomplishments in our labs and learning new recipes and ingredients. I believe that our culinary classes are a highlight of the students’ day because they get to learn and, more importantly, taste their creations and explore their classmates as well.”
Judges for the contest included Thomas, a Sun City resident, Rob Alexander (Chef Eagle), Nick Wedoff, Career and Technical Education Department Chair; Jack Towne, HHS teacher and instructional coach; Shaina Pocztowski, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction; Jessica Lombard, D158 Superintendent, and Dr. Marcus Belin, Principal of Huntley High School.
Chef Eagle said, “This was much more than just making a burger; this was a lesson in teamwork, taste, and pride. These young chefs learned that even simple food can become something extraordinary when you pair skills with passion.”
Chef Eagle worked as a line cook, prep cook, and sous chef.
“My mother called me Chef Robert before I turned 13. I attended and completed Kendall College’s culinary program, and was hired to head Mariano’s food department, and opened six or seven different locations. Eventually, I found my place with the world’s largest food contractor and worked in hospitals, higher education, and food processing (during COVID). I have also found that I have a passion for teaching and have been creating and teaching classes for the past 10 years. Recently, though, cancer has cut my career short with complications from medication. I am currently working on a cookbook for cancer patients suffering from similar taste issues brought about by fighting their disease with medication.”
The winning recipe, the Smash Stack Deluxe, was a collaborative effort of five talented students: Elijah Muze, Zilfije (Sofi) Ramadani, Juliana Sindelar, Gwendolyn Campbell, and Liliana Wean. Their creation stood out among the entries, showcasing their culinary skills and creativity.
This winning burger will be available for everyone to taste at Jameson’s in Sun City.
Walter Myszkowski, the restaurant’s manager, invites all to try the students’ burger. He added, “The winning burger will be featured on Jameson’s restaurant menu from November 11 to 16, from open to close every day. Students who show their school ID will receive 20% off the smash burger. The students who won the burger contest will get a free smash burger.”
The winning team invite you to come out, try the burger, and be the judge. The students are eager for Sun City residents to experience their Smash Stack Deluxe.
Jameson’s is open Tuesday through Thursday from 12-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12 to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday from 12-7 p.m. Jameson’s is located at 12860 Del Webb Blvd in Huntley.
