By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
The class and their hosts show off their homemade maki sushi rolls.
Photo/Bonnie Adams
Westborough – Like many students, the teens in the Life Skills class at Westborough High School look forward to summer vacation. But for the five students- Ethan Turner, Shousei Honji, Ali Leva, Shard Sharma and Jimmy Rogers – summer also means ongoing classes. But that is OK with the students because as part of their curriculum, they also go offsite to places for hands-on experience to help complement their lessons.
On Aug. 7, the students, along with their teacher Anita Breeze and paraprofessionals Kari Carley and Eric Knight, paid a visit to the restaurant Cheng Du to learn how to make sushi rolls.
In their class, the students, who all have different learning issues, focus on basic life skills with the goal of someday living independently and securing employment, Breeze said.
Both Shard and Jimmy, who are graduates of the class, have both indicated an interest in working in a restaurant as a chef or baker, she said.
“This is a great opportunity to expose them to this magnificent facility and see what it’s like to work here,” she said. “We are very grateful to [owner] Tang Kuo Rung.”
Under the careful guidance and instruction of Chef Lee, the student learned the intricacies of making a maki sushi roll from scratch.
He also explained the importance of knife safety and showed them the proper way to cut things like avocados and raw tuna.
Lee worked one-on-one with the students as well to demonstrate how a small bamboo mat would help to form their combinations of rice, veggies, fish, and sheets of seaweed into a perfectly formed roll.
It’s not as easy as it looks!” Shard said, as he attempted to get his roll under control. “It’s an art.”
Ali acknowledged that, while she liked Chinese food, she wasn’t sure if her creation would be to her liking.
“I’m not sure if I want to eat it,” Ali said, as she showed off her plate. “But it looks nice.”
The chef, for his part, noted that everyone had a done a great job.
“You all did a much job better than I did my first time!” he said.
Cheng Du is located at 157 Turnpike Road, Westborough. For more information, visit www.chengdurestaurant.com.
Ethan Turner
Ali Leva and Jimmy Rogers
Cheng Du’s owner Tang Kuo Rung looks on as Ali Leva shows off her sushi rolls.
Shard Sharma
Shousei Honji