Waukesha County Culinary Students Prepare Meals for Those in Need

WAUKESHA, Wis. – Culinary students at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) are being put to the test this Thanksgiving.

“I tell my mom to get out of the kitchen. She stresses me out,” said Madison Butz, an 18-year-old culinary student.

If you think there’s a lot to cooking for your family, you’ll probably discover a new perspective after seeing Butz and his classmates in action.

“When you have more hands on deck, it can be more fun, too,” Butz said.

WCTC culinary students are working on their biggest assignment ever.

“One of my students said today, ‘I’ve never peeled that many potatoes before,'” instructor Jack Birren said.

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Birren started an annual tradition of preparing meals for families in need aged 13. It was born out of love – and his own reasons to be grateful.

“You know, at one point, many years ago, when my wife and I were starting out. We needed it. We needed help,” Birren said.

Food is donated to the class and finished meals are returned to the community. Twenty rounds will end up feeding 160 people.

Most meals are given to low-income people WCTC families. The rest is sent to Waukesha’s Casa de Esperanza.

“It’s an adult thing, but when you have children who you can’t provide meals for, they go to school and hear stories about meals that others have had – it’s amazing the difference we make,” said Shari Campbell, The House of Hope.

Chef Birren said students learn how to produce food in large quantities. Butz knows it’s about so much more.

“It’s pretty awesome that a normal class can turn into helping others for a week — which makes you feel really good inside,” Butz said.

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Students will package the food and deliver it on Wednesday, November 27. Meals feature everything you expect from Thanksgiving: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and pies, prepared by WCTC‘s students in manufacturing and pastry.