The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Pizza taste-test party held for middle school students
Students at Longfellow Middle School, 305 Louisiana Ave. in Lorain, became food critics for the day as a part of a pizza tasting party hosted by sixthgrade teacher Martin Heberling III. Campana’s Authentic International Catering, Cafe & Market 203 W. Eighth St. in Lorain, was tasted and critiqued by Heberling’s students as a reward for a five to 10 percent increase in state testing scores. “We emphasize the testing so much, that’s the whole reason why I came up with this idea,” Heberling said. “Because it’s a writing assignment that has nothing to do with state testing, and it shows a great assessment of where they’ve came from the beginning of the year to now.” It also provides a fun way to improve writing skills, since students then write an essay on what did or didn’t work about the pizza. “I think that makes a difference,” Heberling said of the pizza tasting. “There are a couple students that are always gonna work very, very hard anyway. “But I think it does help others that haven’t had that opportunity.” A teacher at the school for four years, Heberling said pizza tasting parties have been a part of his curriculum for the past three years. This year, however, was a little different. Heberling previously featured different local pizza spots such as Yala’s Pizzeria, 3352 Oberlin Ave., Giovanni’s Pizza, 2936 Grove Ave., Rosie’s Pizza Palace, 3113 Broadway, and Selenti’s Pizza, 808 Oberlin Ave., and would have students rate the pizzas against each other. This year, Heberling is working with Campana’s owner, Scotti C. Campana, to relay criticisms and compliments on the pizza to help the restaurant improve its recipe. Heberling said that since the restaurant is new to Lorain, the feedback could be helpful for the Campana business in moving forward in the community. Focusing on local business has proven to open up new worlds to the students, he said. “Getting (the students) acclimated to their community is what my goal was because we have great restaurants out there,” Heberling said. Feedback on the pizza came in by the droves from students. “It tastes really good,” said Keely Criteser, 12, of Lorain. Shelby Bowels, 12, of Lorain, said the sauce was the best part, but the pizza was too greasy. “I like how it’s salty,” Shelby said. “I like it like that.” Lamarea Roldan, 12, of Lorain said she could taste the several cheeses on the pizza and that all the flavors worked well together. “It’s better because it’s not like one thing is weighing another,” Lamarea said. “It’s all together. You taste it all at once.”