COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEFS
Everett High cooks a credit to community
Hey, you young culinarians at Everett High, this one’s for you.
And it’s for every other schoolkid now trying to master a skill that has nothing to do with a ball or a puck, which means the outside world probably doesn’t make a big deal of it, assuming it even notices.
Earlier this week the Kiwanis Club of Everett hosted several neighboring clubs at a luncheon in the school’s Crimson Cafe, where students in the culinary program prepared and served a spectacular meal.
On that rainy day their guests were Herald EditorIn-Chief Joe Sciacca and this colleague.
Quick: What do you think of when you think of Everett High?
Football, of course. They’ll tell you at Xaverian or Brockton or St. John’s Prep that taking on Everett in football is like tugging on Superman’s cape.
But who knew of the greatness residing in those players’ classmates?
While Joe was carrying on about newspaper trends and story ideas and the impact of the internet, the menu was blowing away this old Roxbury kid who’s never become what you’d call an epicurean.
Winter salad with pomegranates, blue cheese, toasted walnuts and cider vinaigrette? Poulet Florentine, a fancy way of saying grilled chicken breast on a bed of spinach under a covering of mushroom poulet sauce? Chocolate cake with raspberry mousse and chocolate mousse, layered beneath a covering of chocolate ganache frosting?
Please. He’d have been happy with a cup of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.
As he worked his way along the buffet line he began to understand why they say, “Everett’s schools are Everett’s pride.”
Who knew the brilliance of coach John DiBiaso on the gridiron was paralleled by chef Des Makredes in the kitchen?
Who knew an Everett alumna won a “cupcake war” on the Food Network? If it had been a Division 1 football championship they’d still be partying along Broadway.
Who knew the school has a music program celebrating jazz and string instruments and a cappella singing?
Who knew it also has a magnificent art program?
Go to most schools and try to find dads grilling hot dogs for kids going to a science fair, or moms baking cakes for kids competing in a spelling bee.
Indeed, where’s the community that celebrates a kid conquering a computer, or mastering a piano?
Why are jackets and rings and parades synonymous only with those who excel in sports?
Have you ever seen a bumper sticker proclaiming, “Our town is No. 1 in reading scores?” No? Think about it. An ancient adage tells us that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also.
The Kiwanians were a joy to meet, but it was those gifted young chefs who sent us back here full and so very much impressed.
Best wishes to you all, and bon appetit.