Some Knapp School & Yeshiva students are getting a taste of working in the food service industry—right at their school. The school lunch cart operates twice a week, and six to eight students regularly help with everything from taking orders and shopping for ingredients, to cooking and delivering the food.

The program wouldn’t be possible without retired teacher Doug Mann’s (Mr. Doug) dedication and leadership, said Vocational Specialist Dimitra Palaskonis.

“The kids love working with him,” Dimitra said, adding, “It’s a lot of work and you have to be on schedule.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Mr. Doug runs the lunch cart program with a rotating crew of middle school and high school students. Starting at 8am, Mr. Doug and a student visit the classrooms to take orders. Then, based on those orders, he and a student shop for the ingredients.

Some of their regular menu items include quesadillas, French toast with sausages, grilled cheese with tomato soup and macaroni casserole.

On a recent Thursday, the group was making tacos for the first time. A high school student had the task of cutting onions, another cooked the ground beef, and a middle school student opened cans and drained the beans.

When it came time to assemble the tacos, they formed an assembly line and referred to the order sheet to put the correct toppings on each taco. Because it was their first time making tacos, it took a little longer to prepare and get the orders correct.

Mr. Doug emphasizes learning through repetition, noting that students learn the recipes and steps after preparing a dish several times.

“It takes a few tries for them to remember the ingredients,” he said, “but their need for assistance goes down quickly. That’s why we repeat.”

Dimitra said the whole process ties in life skills, working as a team, communication, problem solving, and provides opportunities to grow.

“Some of our students, after working here for a while, they go out into the community to work,” she said. “It gives them experience. It’s a starting point.”

One high school student who was helping on taco day said he would like to find a job in the food service industry.

“I love cooking, I love eating,” he said. “If I can also put a smile on someone’s face while they’re eating, I’d be very happy with that.”

As the lunch cart group began delivering tacos to students and staff who placed orders, the students who work at the school snack table arrived. These students sell different snacks and treats, also gaining work experience.

“I want them to problem solve, sort and do a sequence of events,” Dimitra said.

Students in the vocational program also learn other life skills, such as taking care of plants, recycling and composting.