First Lesson, Cooking

[Portia Bianca Rosalind Cutty]

Professor Cutty swept into her classroom exactly ten minutes before the class would begin, and observed everything. The ovens at the back of the room were brand new, carefully tested, and clean. The refridgerator on the side of the room which would hold all of the cold ingredients needed for later lessons shone spotlessly. A large sink was ready for cleaning hands and dishes, right under one of the large windows that looked out onto the grounds behind the school. The pantry was ready. The shelves which held all of the equipment they would use were straightened out, and everything was neatly arranged, carefully sanitized. All of the work counters were equally clean, with one cookbook set for each two spots.

Everything was exactly where she had arranged for it to be, and was in order.

She smiled, pleased with this, and went over to her own desk and counter island which was of a light green stonework, which contrasted against the pale pink stone that was used for the student work counters. After a moment, she began to write on the board:

Cooking

Professor Cutty

Today's Lesson:

Basics and Safety

Once all the students had arrived and she was sure no one else would join, she began.

"Good morning! Thank you all for deciding to take the cooking class, I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time this semester. Before we get to any real cooking, I'll be going over the basics for this class today, explaing what we will be doing, as well as what I'll be hoping you'll follow in terms of safety. During our next lessons we will actually start cooking. " She smiled more, and walked over to a hanger that was by the board, and she pulled a crisp, clean, bright blue apron off of one of the hooks and tied it over her clothes.

"In this class, I will be teaching you all not only the necessary skills required for cooking, but also hopefully how to enjoy it. Or, if you already know the basic fundamentals of cooking, this class will hopefully help you expand your knowledge."

"One of the most important things I will stress today is hygiene and safety. Before we begin any recipe, everyone must ensure that their hands are clean and that their workspace is clean as well. If you have long hair, make sure it is tied back-" Cutty indicated how her own hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail- "and not in the way. After all, I'm sure no one in here wants to eat a lasanga or cake that has someone's hair in it, am I correct? If any one is concerned about mussing their clothing, there are aprons available. After we finish cooking, the stoves and counters must be cleaned and everything put in the dishwashers or sink. "

She continued on after checking everyone's expressions. "While we are cooking, I have a few simple rules for everyone to follow. Do not eat anything that is meant to be used as ingredients without my permission, unless you are interested in having a chocolate cake that has no chocolate in it, or a strawberry crepes with no strawberries. Do not eat anything raw in here that can be dangerous when uncooked, such as eggs or meat. Do not reuse the same knife or butting board if you are switching from raw meat to anything else, or vice versa. When we use the stoves, please be careful. If I catch anyone fooling around near the stoves when we are cooking they will be dismissed from that day's lessons. Depending on how many of you are interested and how careful everyone is this year, next year we may progress to learning how to use cooking torches. If you have a food allergy, please tell me after class."

"We will be using the recipes from the cook books that are on the counters before you; since we're going over the basics of cooking until later in the semester, we will not be making substitutions for awhile, when I will tell you what you can safely substitute in a recipe without ruining the result- I'm sure some of you wiill find that valuable to learn later on in life. Please make sure that you follow the instructions of the recipes and do not switch steps around. This shouldn't be too much of a problem, since due to the length of this class I will only choose recipes we can complete with the amount of time we have provided."

"Additionally, and I'm sure this will please everyone, everyone will be allowed to take what they have cooked out of this classroom out of here to share with their friends. "

"Now, are there any questions?"


Assignment:

Post in this thread with your character's reaction to Cutty's lecture, of them talking with other students, or asking her questions at the end. Reactions can be at any point during the lecture, and questions will be answered for after.

[Mellianne Joss]

Mellianne got to class a few minutes early and went to one of the front workstations. She looked around at the entire room, interested in everything as she rarely was in the kitchen at home due to always being busy, either with swimming or helping out around the ranch. BUt she figured she really needed to learn how to cook for when she went and lived on her own.

She paid close attention to the lecture, and made a mental note to pay close attention during this class. Mellianne had a piece of paper and a pencil that was almost gone, and was rapidly copying everything Professor Cutty was saying so she could look over it if she forgot something. At the end, she thought about possible questions, but really couldn't think of any.

[Farran Jernigan]

Farran was not entirely sure why he was going to cooking class, given his propensity for clumsiness and the possibility of burns, but it beat sitting in the library staring at the walls. And it definitely beat out anything to do with the great outdoors. Besides, cooking could be a useful skill.

He did go out of his way to find a place near Mellianne, who he spotted; she was one of the only people he knew, after all, and an aquaintance was better than a stranger any day.

Professor Cutty's lecture seemed pretty straightforward. Hygiene, basic safety, don't do stupid things. Farran wondered if there were people who would do the things the Professor warned against, which seemed mostly to be common sense. He didn't bother to take notes, though he noticed Mellianne scribbling almost frantically.

[Mellianne Joss]

Mellianne, while trying to think of a question, noticed Farran and waved. And then inspiration hit. She raised her hand and asked, "Are we going to be working in pairs or separately?" Her question based on the fact that there were two spots per cookbook. It would be nice to work with Farran, or one of her other friends if he had someone to work with already, if possible.

[Scott Logan]

Scott arrived on time for class for once, and selected a bench in the middle of the classroom.

He nodded in greeting to Melianne, and smiled at the boy with copper hair whom he didn't recognize.

He listened to the Headmistresses' introduction to the class. It sounded reasonably straightforward - pay attention to cleanliness and hygiene - and he was eager to try cooking for the first time. He didn't suppose cup noodles counted as cooking.

[Somariel Lamaron]

Somariel rushed into the room, slightly out of breath. "Professor Cutty," she panted, "there's been an accident. Michelle hurt herself on the obstacle course for Professor Tzu Mei's Advanced Defensive Fighting class. He asked me to get you."

[Portia Bianca Rosalind Cutty]

"Yes, there will be two-" She stopped speaking when Somariel entered the room, and frowned for a brief moment.

"It seems like today's class will end early today. If you have anything to ask me, or anything you feel I should know, please stop by my office later today."

With that, Cutty exited the classroom and into the corridor. "Where are they?"

(Looks like this lesson has been cut off early. Just follow the assignment with reactions, though you can't exactly give any questions now.)

[Somariel Lamaron]

"They're in the empty classroom," Somariel said, following Professor Cutty. "Professor Tzu Mei said he's using it as an infirmary."

[Portia Bianca Rosalind Cutty]

"I see," she said. Cutty quickly made her way to the empty classroom, leaving her class behind.

[Mellianne Joss]

Mellianne sorta shrugged when Professor Cutty had to leave. Oh well, she would just wait until the next class to find out what the Professor was about to say. She picked up her paper, folded it, and placed it in her bag. The pencil went in right after it.

Stretching, Mellianne started to walk out, but decided to stop and talk to Farran first. "Hi Farran! How has classes been for you so far? And which classes are you planning on taking?"