What’s Cool at School: Academy of Hospitality and Tourism culinary program

Students at an under-performing school have gotten their grades up by turning up the heat in the kitchen.
Students at the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism in Flatbush are learning the ropes of the kitchen through the school’s culinary program.

The school ignited the passion for cooking back in 2016 when they were under-performing and looking for a way to raise student achievement.
School officials renovated the existing kitchen and began offering elective courses in culinary arts, which goes with a business program.

“Since starting the program, our graduation rates [were] raised by 30 percent. Our suspensions have gone from basically nonexistent, attendance rates have risen, we have seen a greater willingness for students to go out and experience internships in the real world,” says Assistant Principal Luke Fitzgibbon.

The students say their favorite dishes are crepes and monkey bread.

They also cook breakfast for the staff and their peers, and cater community events.