Date: Fri 04-Sep-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: JAN

Quick Words:

Booth-book-sale-culinary-food

Full Text:

Culinary Students Will Give Book Sale A Taste Of Their Talents

(with cut)

BY JAN HOWARD

Culinary students at Newtown High School will get a taste of what it is like

to run a cafeteria line during the annual Booth Library book sale this weekend

at Bridgeport Hall on the campus of Fairfield Hills.

Teacher Tom Zmuda will bring his student-run catering program to the library

book sale for the first time. The refreshment area will be located outside in

front of Bridgeport Hall.

Mr Zmuda said his students were enthusiastic about getting involved in the

food booth this year. "The students said `We want to do it.' They motivated me

to want to do it," he said.

During the book sale, the students will work in shifts, taking turns at a

range of duties to give them experience in different functions, such as

grilling, order taking and roundsman, someone who does everything that is

needed to be done. They will also man the cash register.

One hundred students take part in the culinary arts program at Newtown High

School. Only 25 advanced students, who have had sanitation and safety

training, will be involved in the food booth.

"A few of our graduates will also help out," Mr Zmuda said. He noted it shows

the quality of the program when graduates, who will be leaving for college in

a few days, are still willing to help out during catered events.

"I'm going to be there a lot,'' student Barbara Rafter said. "We have to see

that everything gets done."

Barbara said that while she is not interested in going into a food service

profession, the culinary arts program "has been a lot of fun so I've stuck

with it. I like interacting with the people."

Student Gary Corigliano is entering his third year in the culinary arts

program and will be helping out at the book sale throughout the weekend. He is

interested in a career in the culinary arts. "I want to be a chef and own my

own restaurant," he said.

Student Laura Kitson said she takes the elective culinary arts class "for fun.

It's a lot of stress, but I love it. Catering is great, and we're like a

family."

The food booth will feature pizza, grilled burgers, hotdogs, kilbasa and corn

will be featured in addition to a couple of new menu items. Prices will be

consistent with previous years.

"We are looking to try to run a couple of specials," Mr Zmuda said. "We wanted

to add something to the menu." He said he has to be careful about what is

offered, however. "We're looking for non-perishable food items."

All food will be prepared on the site during the book sale, according to Mr

Zmuda.

Students have been handling purchasing, pricing, staffing and communication

duties in preparation for the book sale. "They're doing a very exceptional

job," he said. "I like to see they are so inspired."

Beverages will be donated and profits from their sales will go to the library.

Refreshments will be available Saturday through Monday.

Profits from the food sales will go to the Culinary Arts program at Newtown

High School for supplies, such as cutting boards, knives and staples, and for

uniforms and chef coats, as well as to supplement existing funds, Mr Zmuda

said.

Mr Zmuda has been a teacher in the culinary arts program at NHS for five

years. For most of those years, the program has included catering parties.

Book Sale

The Booth Library Book Sale will offer over 100,000 books and recordings. Hard

cover and paper back books will be offered in more than 70 categories,

including nonfiction, such as war and military, gardening, cooking, art,

biographies, crafts, Christmas, chess, history, flower arranging; and fiction,

including novels, mysteries, science fiction, occult and short stories. Books

for children will be available, along with LP records, games, and puzzles. The

sale includes rare books and autobiographies.

The sale will be held inside Bridgeport Hall September 5, 10 am to 5 pm;

September 6, 10 am to 5 pm; September 7, 9 am to 4:30 pm; September 8, 2 to 6

pm; and September 9, 10 am to 4 pm.

An admission of $5 will be charged on Saturday only, with ticket sales

beginning at 7 am. On Saturday and Sunday, books will be sold at the marked

price.

On Monday, books will be sold at half price from 9 am to 2 pm. From 2:30 to

4:30 pm on Monday and again on Tuesday from 2 to 6 pm, books will be $5 per

bag. Leftover books will be free on Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm, with

donations accepted.

To reach Bridgeport Hall, take I-84 to Exit 11; turn left at the bottom of the

ramp onto Mile Hill Road; and follow the signs about one mile to reach

Fairfield Hills.

All proceeds from the book sale will benefit the Booth Library.