Culinary Arts at Eagle Rock School: A Unique Opportunity for Growth and Flavor

Eagle Rock School (ERS) offers more than just a traditional education; it provides students with life-changing experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. One of the most unique and rewarding aspects of life at ERS lies in the campus kitchen, led by Head Chef Instructor Chris Bennett, a Colorado native and culinary veteran. With over 20 years of experience in the food industry, Chris brings his passion for cooking and dedication to student growth to the ERS kitchen. For students, being in the kitchen is a chance to explore new flavors, learn valuable life skills, and experience the joys of cooking and eating good food—all while contributing to a supportive community.

Discovering New Flavors and Cultures

For many students, food is something familiar, often limited to what they grew up with or what’s readily available. At ERS, the culinary program opens the door to new flavors and cultures, expanding students’ horizons far beyond the foods they’ve experienced. Chris Bennett’s passion for exposing young people to diverse cuisines drives this program. 

Chris remembers his own journey as a teenager starting culinary school and realizing how limited his own food experiences had been. Now, he’s dedicated to helping ERS students break out of their culinary comfort zones, guiding them through new dishes and ingredients they may have never tried before. ERS students, many of whom come from food deserts or areas with limited access to nutritious meals, are introduced to the idea that food is more than just sustenance. It's an opportunity to explore cultures, develop a sense of adventure, and, most importantly, enjoy the experience of eating.

This exposure to diverse cuisines can help alleviate anxiety students might have around food. Whether it's feeling insecure about not knowing certain dishes or being nervous about trying something unfamiliar, ERS fosters an environment where students can grow their confidence around food, making the culinary learning experience a crucial part of their personal and academic development.

A Day in the Life of the ERS Kitchen

Each day in the ERS kitchen is filled with intention, care, and plenty of hands-on learning. The kitchen opens early, with Chris ensuring everything is ready for the day, from prepping for breakfast to setting up for lunch and ensuring dinner is properly produced. One unique feature of the kitchen’s daily operations is the involvement of students through the Kitchen Patrol (KP) program. Students join the kitchen team to help prepare meals, serve their peers, and gain valuable experience in food preparation and kitchen management.

While KP currently focuses more on front-of-house tasks like setting the dining room and preparing drinks, there are exciting plans to integrate students more deeply into the kitchen. Chris hopes to offer cooking classes in the afternoons, allowing students to develop skills like knife work, prepping ingredients, and understanding the fundamentals of cooking. These skills are not only useful in everyday life but also provide a sense of structure and routine—two things that align perfectly with ERS’s emphasis on holistic learning.

The focus at ERS is on more than just serving typical cafeteria food; there is a deep commitment to the quality of ingredients and the overall dining experience. By using fresh, local, and organic ingredients whenever possible, the ERS kitchen sets a high standard for what school meals can be. This attention to detail instills a sense of pride in the craft of cooking, which is passed on to students, many of whom are discovering the joys of a scratch kitchen for the first time.

Building Connections and Lifelong Skills

One of the most rewarding aspects of Chris’s role at ERS is the connections he builds with students. By seeing students every day, interacting with them at meals, and listening to their feedback, Chris fosters a sense of community around food. Students feel comfortable sharing their likes and dislikes, and Chris is always excited to hear what they think about the day’s meals.

Beyond the personal connections, students also gain valuable life skills in the kitchen. For many, this is their first experience preparing food, and the ERS kitchen gives them the tools to feel confident in their abilities. Learning how to cook not only empowers students to take care of themselves but also gives them something to share with their families. Some students even return home to cook meals for their loved ones for the first time, a moment of pride and accomplishment that stays with them long after they leave ERS.

The skills students learn in the kitchen—time management, responsibility, teamwork—are mirrored in other aspects of their ERS education. Whether students go on to pursue culinary careers or simply enjoy cooking at home, the knowledge they gain at ERS serves as a foundation for future success.

Are you ready to experience the world of flavors, cultures, and learning opportunities that Eagle Rock School has to offer? If you’re excited about hands-on education, a supportive community, and the chance to discover new passions, ERS might be the perfect place for you. Reach out today to inquire about the application process and take the first step toward joining a unique and transformative school experience.