This course will dive into food history, recipe writing, and culinary creativity! Each week, learners will be presented with a 'challenge' ingredient to incorporate into a recipe and dish they will bring to class. 

At the beginning of each class, we will cover the history and fun facts about the challenge ingredient. We'll also have a discussion on how to approach competitions and challenges with a growth mindset! (Challenges help us grow! We're inspired by the success of others!)  After learning all about the food and how to approach competition with a growth mindset, each student will briefly present their prepared creation and explain the recipe.  Each learner will then cast an anonymous vote for their favorite dish of the week, and votes will be tallied.  Dishes will be judged on creativity and presentation. Unfortunately, we can't taste our computer screens, so taste won't be a component! The 'Champion Chef of the Week' will then be announced. At the end of class, the teacher will present an easy recipe showcasing the following week's challenge ingredient.  

Week 1: 
Challenge Ingredient: Breakfast Cereal
This week, we will cover the history of 'Breakfast Cereal' in the United States, and share a few facts about cereal using colorful presentation slides and an interactive discussion on what our favorite cereals are.  We will then talk about the importance of a 'Growth Mindset' when approaching challenges and how it differs from a 'Fixed Mindset'.  A fixed mindset vs. growth mindset infographic will be included for students to print out and refer to during future sessions.  After the discussion, students will have the opportunity to showcase their dishes for the 'judges' (class).  Each learner will have 2 minutes to describe their dish and how they came up with their idea.  After everyone has presented, the students will send a message to the teacher via Zoom chat to vote for their favorite dish of the week.  Votes will be tallied, and a 'Champion Chef of the Week' will be announced.  Once the Champion Chef has been announced, we will watch a video of a quick no-bake recipe featuring the following week's challenge ingredient of graham crackers.  

Week 2: 
Challenge Ingredient: Graham Crackers
This week, we will cover the history of s'mores and their importance in campfire memories across the country! We may brainstorm a few ideas for creative s'mores together as a class to get those creative wheels turning! We'll review our infographic on 'Growth Mindset' and have a brief discussion about new observations we have on strengthening our positive approach to challenges.  After the discussion, students will again showcase their dishes for the 'judges' (class).  Each learner will again take 2 minutes to describe their dish and how they came up with their idea.  After everyone has presented, the students will send a message to the teacher via Zoom chat to vote for their favorite dish of the week.  Votes will be tallied, and a 'Champion Chef of the Week' will be announced. Once the Champion Chef has been announced, the teacher will present a quick sample recipe featuring the following week's challenge ingredient of spaghetti. 

Week 3: 
Challenge Ingredient: Spaghetti OR Ice Cream Cones 
This week, we will cover the history of spaghetti, tracing its worldwide journey to the kitchen table.  We will discuss our favorite pasta dishes as a class, and will also review our growth mindset principles. Students will have the opportunity to describe a time when they approached a tough situation with a positive mindset.  For a twist, there will also be the option to use an ice cream cone as an ingredient for this week's dish. We'll have some fun ice cream facts and talk about how the ice cream cone was invented. After the discussion, students will again showcase their dishes for the 'judges' (class).  Each learner will again take 2 minutes to describe their dish and how they came up with their idea.  After everyone has presented, the students will send a message to the teacher via Zoom chat to vote for their favorite dish of the week.  Votes will be tallied, and a 'Champion Chef of the Week' will be announced. Once the Champion Chef has been announced, the teacher will present a quick sample recipe featuring the following week's challenge ingredient of pretzels.  

Week 4: 
Challenge Ingredient: Pretzels
This week we will cover the history of pretzels, and also examine the different types of pretzels you can find around the world.  We will have a final discussion on strategies we can use to approach challenges that extend beyond the classroom. After the discussion, students will again showcase their dishes for the 'judges' (class).  Each learner will again take 2 minutes to describe their dish and how they came up with their idea.  After everyone has presented, the students will send a message to the teacher via Zoom chat to vote for their favorite dish of the week.  Votes will be tallied, and a 'Champion Chef of the Week' will be announced. Once the Champion Chef has been announced, we will have a wrap-up and reflection on favorite experiences and favorite recipes from the past four weeks.  We will also brainstorm possible ingredients for future challenges.