Video: Teachers Learn to Cook at MUW

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Most of us love to eat but what about those who love to cook? The Culinary Arts Institute at MUW hosted culinary educators from high schools across the Southeast for a week-long training.

This is the 3rd year that MUW is hosting the ProStart Institute. The summer training program provides educators with the newest, cutting edge techniques that they can take back to the classroom.

“We learn how to take things out of the book, take things that we teach our students and put them in a hands-on type of way. Then we also learn some things in the classroom that will help us with our instruction in our classroom before we go into the lab,” says Roderick Hollins, a Laure, MS High School Teacher.

Reality TV shows about cooking are ratings gold right now and MUW Culinary Arts Institute Director Erich Ogle says the industry is exploding.

“The industry is going to do nothing but continue to grow. Hospitality and tourism, particularly for Mississippi is one of the largest growing industries in the state. It’s really the sky is the limit,” says Ogle.

This ProStart Institute session is focused on Asian cuisine as well as baking breads and desserts. Ogle says anyone wishing to get into the culinary arts should do one important thing.

“If they’ve taken culinary at the high school level, I would certainly encourage them to further their career with a culinary education here at The W or there are several other fantastic programs through out the state,” says Ogle.

Participants are also introduced to food safety, kitchen essentials and management skills. The MUW ProStart Institute partners with the National Restaurant Association for the training.