AESA Culinary Institute

The AESA Culinary Institute is a 501(c)(3) educational program designed to give students meaningful, hands-on experiences in culinary arts, nutrition, food sourcing, sustainability, and healthy living. Culinary education is also incorporated into AESA Prep Academy's elective program, allowing students to develop practical life skills while exploring the science, creativity, culture, and craftsmanship behind food.

 

Our program goes well beyond learning how to follow a recipe. Students are encouraged to understand what is in their food, where it comes from, how it is produced, and how thoughtful food choices can contribute to personal wellness and a healthier environment.

 

In keeping with AESA's educational philosophy, the Culinary Institute connects classroom learning with real-world application. Students have opportunities to build independence, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the relationship between food, health, agriculture, community, and the environment.

​

The Aussie Bistro serves delicious, health conscious food. Our kitchen is free of: seed oils, GMOs, preservatives, refined sugars/oils, soy, rBGH/rBST, nitrates/nitrites, artificial colors/flavors, and BHA/BHT. We proudly serve 100% grass-fed and finished, pasture-raised, or wild meats, and our fish are always wild-caught. Eggs come from pasture-raised hens and are free of corn and soy. All fruits, vegetables, and grains are free from pesticides and herbicides to ensure the cleanest, most natural ingredients possible.

​

We emphasize the importance of healthy fats and clean oils; only utilizing the highest quality ingredients like olive, avocado, and coconut. We also use natural sweeteners like raw honey, organic maple syrup, and organic coconut sugar in place of refined sugars.

​

The philosophy of the Culinary Institute also extends into the daily life of our school through the AESA Lunch & Snack Program. Families may elect to participate in the program, which provides students with thoughtfully prepared lunches and snacks during the school day. Our goal is to offer food that reflects the same principles students learn through our culinary program: quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, balanced choices, and an awareness of where our food comes from. Rather than viewing school meals simply as something to serve between classes, AESA sees food as another opportunity to reinforce healthy habits and lifelong learning.

 

Our weekly lunch and snack menus are crafted with care, offering gluten or dairy free options for every day.

​

Click the following to view our suppliers: