FoodNet

History and present status of instruction in cooking in the public schools of New York city

1899

Page 15

Presented as published in 1899. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
In the year 1895 this course of study was established in two more schools. A careful supervision of the instruction in cooking showed thorough and appreciative work. In a few cases the results were attained under difficulties. It should be borne in mind that the appli- ances necessary for this work had then been in use for some time, and in several schools they needed to be renewed. The course then embraced instruction in the chemistry of foods, and this received its proper share of attention. The practical work was so arranged that each pupil shared in the actual process of cooking the materials selected, under the direct and close supervision of the teacher. Pupils often brought articles cooked by them at home, and the results of the instructions were thus readily seen by the teachers. In this report there was a note made of the fact that there should be in each school where this subject is taught a collection of charts show- ing the various cuts of meats and samples of the various kinds of food products. During the year 1896 the manual-training course was established in two more schools and a supervisor of manual-training subjects was appointed for the first time, the office of supervisor having been created by the board of education under authority vested in it by the new school law. The teaching of cooking, like other specialties, was provided with a supervisor, the appointment being made in the latter part of October. In the short time intervening between the date of appointment and the close of the year the supervisor held a conference with the special teachers of cooking at which suggestions were made as to the methods of instruction, and these suggestions were supplemented by special advice given at the time of the visits to the several schools. More attention to the chemistry of foods was urged and the introduction of the systematic use of the microscox^e was recommended. 20 The plan of work arranged by the supervisor of cookery appointed at this time for the New York schools was as follows : I. Subjects.— Chemistry, physics, botany, physiology, and hygiene, and their application. II. Work. — Work should be made uniform throughout schools as far as possible. (1) Uniformity of science and principles. — Although science and principles should be the same throughout, dishes may vary accordiug to needs of special schools. (2) Uniformity of time.— A time-table should be submitted. III. Meetings. — Meetings of teachers should be called at regular intervals. (1) Books. — Suggestions as to books, apparatus, chemicals, 1o be used. (2) Methods. — Methods of presenting different subjects and manner of serv- ing dishes should be discussed. (3) Beading of papers. — Papers should be read by teachers on special subjects. (4) Assistance to teachers. — To guide teachers in fitting themselves to teach the different subjects. . IV. Acquaintance with work. (1) Classes. — To visit classes regularly. Suggestions made and help given to teachers. Examine reports of work done by pupils at home and in school. (2) Schools. — Different schools visited with view of introducing subjects. ($) Institutions. — Visit Wesleyan University and other institutions for benefit of system. V. Examinations. — To assist in examination of applicants when requested. VI. Eeports. — To supply reports as committee may desire.