In a bustling classroom, students embarked on a journey to create a restaurant straight out of France. Under the guidance of Madame Kelly, the French teacher here at Sahuaro, they don’t just learn about French cuisine, but also the art of socializing and dining. “French people love to socialize. They love to entertain, they love to eat, and they love to cook; it’s a very important part of French culture,” Madame Kelly shared. With this project, she aims to introduce students not only to various French dishes but also how to eat in courses and engage with their peers.
From the very first assignment Madame Kelly assigned, creating their restaurant, students were fully immersed in the experience. They started by deciding what they wanted their restaurant to be, which ranged from fancy to casual. Then, students transform an empty room into their restaurant, bringing in elements such as elegant tableware, lights, and beautiful decorations. However, the project isn’t just about aesthetics. Students had to create a menu and select a dish from each course: entrée (starter/appetizer), plat principal (main dish), accompaniment (side dish), and dessert. Each restaurant was made up of 3-5 students who worked in teams to cook and serve the food they prepared.
This project not only focuses on cooking but also the entire dining experience. It teaches students the importance of dressing up nicely for a meal. In France, when one goes out to eat or is invited to someone’s house for lunch or dinner, they are expected to dress nicely because it’s a way to show appreciation and respect for the host and the occasion. Dressing up is not the only way to show your appreciation, bringing gifts is also another way to do it. Guests often bring a present to share their thanks with the host. Whether it’s store-bought – like wine or flowers – or even homemade like jam, the gesture is what matters most.
The most rewarding aspect for Madame Kelly is seeing her students fully embrace the new experience. “I love seeing people dress up, I enjoy seeing people try something new,” she exclaimed. “To see them get excited about food makes me happy, and to see them just converse and socialize together and enjoy the experience without their phone, that pleases me.” Overall, this project is more than just food. It’s about creating a memorable dining experience that brings people together and celebrates the traditions of French culture.
