Thanks to a family recipe, FCHS staff were able to get a taste of a state award-winning pound cake for Easter.
Two weeks prior to April 20, staff were given the opportunity to order a five-flavor pound cake made through the Fluco Culinary Apprenticeship program. Under the direction of Culinary teacher and chef Jonnay Grooms who offered up her grandmother’s recipe, Culinary Apprenticeship student Carly Brown was assigned the bulk of this sale due to her previous experience making this cake. Brown entered the 5-flavor pound cake into the Virginia State Fair baking competition this school year and received a blue ribbon for 1st place. Although Brown did the majority of the work making the cakes, she received help from some Culinary I and II students who helped crack eggs, gather equipment, measure out ingredients, and glaze the cakes once they came out of the oven.
“Over two days, I prepared 16 pound cakes ordered by the staff. We had to crack 80 eggs, measure out 48 cups of flour and sugar, along with ‘mise en placing’ many other ingredients. Having the extra help from the Culinary I and II students definitely made the process go by quicker,” said Brown.
Several staff members responded to a staff email about the cakes with positive reviews.
“Just wanted to give a huge shout out to Jonnay Grooms. That pound cake was off the chain, Sis!” wrote Nurse Aide teacher Karen Green in an email to high school staff. “If you haven’t had an opportunity to try [Grooms’] homemade baked goods, you must treat yourself and your family. It took a load off of the cooking I had to do for Easter, and it was so delicious,” she added.
Brown, who took two semesters of Culinary before enrolling as a Culinary apprentice, said that when her mom heard about all of the cakes she had been making, she requested that Brown make one at home on Easter.
“As an apprentice, I enjoy being assigned big tasks like this because it prepares me for my years after high school, where I will be attending culinary school,” said Brown, who will graduate next month.
On May 3, Brown will join other Culinary students working concessions at the Fine Arts Festival at the high school. Students will be making made-to-order items, including chicken tenders, and fried Oreos as their final exam grade.
