At VegChef, every student gets the chance to work in the school kitchen for a week, helping with lunch prep for the schoolchildren, teachers, and, of course, the VegChef students.

Since lunch includes a main dish, soup, and salad, we were encouraged to suggest simple dishes that might suit the occasion. I prepared a list of options I thought would be suitable, including lasagna, apricot and eggplant curry, and some hearty soups. However, I hadn’t considered the fact that the primary consumers would be children.

This morning was my first time stepping into the kitchen, and the person in charge informed me that most of my suggestions weren’t suitable for children’s “sensitive” palates. Apparently, kids tend to prefer simpler dishes without too many ingredients or complex flavors. Something like lasagna wasn’t a big hit with them.

On the bright side, I was able to make my recipe for Persian Lentil Soup (Adasi). The kitchen already had all the ingredients, so I was given the task of preparing a big pot of soup for everyone. It was a really fun experience, and I felt confident since I’ve made this dish many times before. All I had to do was quadruple the recipe to ensure there was enough for everyone. I think it turned out great, and I was really happy with the results. I’ll be sharing this simple yet delicious recipe soon!

Working in the school kitchen, two things surprised me:

1. How slow-paced and relaxed it was. I always assumed that cooking for 250 people would be stressful, but the person in charge, who has been doing this for a while, had everything under control. Those of us helping weren’t under much pressure. It was nice to realize that not every professional kitchen has to be fast-paced and stressful.
2. The dull knives. I had to bring my own knife just to cut the vegetables properly! I’ve always considered a sharp knife to be the foundation of great cooking, but apparently, it’s not a priority for everyone.

Overall, my first day in the kitchen was a learning experience—one that came with a few surprises, some adjustments, and, ultimately, a delicious pot of lentil soup. I’m looking forward to the rest of the week and seeing what else I can learn!