The aroma of baking and cooking escaped from the kitchen as culinary students at Oakland Schools Technical Campus prepared food on Friday.
The students at the northwest campus in Springfield Township were preparing food for the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce Best of the Best Expo this Thursday.
“It’s a good experience,” said Janice Drew, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Instructor. “It’s very rewarding for the students. They have a chance to work with the public and exhibitors love to see what they have been working on.”
The students are making six different types of appetizers and are baking over eight different desserts and over 1,000 of the treats. All the food is made from scratch. They also designed the table settings.
The program has over 100 students between its morning and afternoon classes and 24 students will serve the exhibitors before the public arrives at 6 p.m.
The students created samples of the food and a menu for the chamber committee to chose from.
They chose a hot and cold menu – delicious and filling since it would be the exhibitors dinner.
The expo features over 90 businesses in the Clarkston area.
“Exciting exhibits by area businesses and service clubs are just part of the fun as you get to know our local businesses,” said Penny Shanks, Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“If you’re browsing for goods and services, if you want to support for local businesses or if you just want to have a fun evening out in Clarkston, come on by.”
Many businesses offer a free giveaway, door prize drawing or raffle.
The expo is Thursday at Clarkston High School, 6-8 p.m. Admission is free.
A list of the exhibitors is available online at www.clarkston.org.