Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-01-07
MODEL COOKING SCHOOL
PRACTICAL WAY OF IMPROVING
BRITISH COOKING.
Example Is Better Than Precept"--
Over 10000 Pupils Since 1874.

n correspondent thus writes of a
visit to London cooking school: In
the large vestibule of the school, into
which we pass, is a broad counter en-
closing corner, and here, on a sfair
white CLOTH" are arranged all manner
of ornamental dishes, entrees, Calan-
tines, Jellies, creams, etc., which are
daily made by the teachers in the
demonstration classes, and are here SET
out for sale. No doubt many a clever
housewife avails herself of this method
of procuring admirably made dishes al
trifiing cost which could not be
turned out at home without a $500
chef. Turning the corner of the
counter we find ourselves in wide
passage, which divides the various
kitchens. The first kitchen is empty,
but Mrs. Clarke tells me it is to be used
for children's classes, the demonstra-
tors ga stove being placed in the mid
die between three large tables, outside
which the pupils stand and imbibe in
struction.
The next kitchen is very big, and
indeed it needs to be. for there are
about twenty girls and women in it,
pupils and teachers, and yet Mrs.
Clarke says that it is unusually empty,
owing to the inroads of influenza on
both staff and pupils. This is the prac-
tice-kitchen for plain cookery. A
group of girls are gathered round one
table, making apple -dumplings under
the supervision and example of the
teacher, who is making some too; far
ther on is another broad table into
which gas-ranges are let at intervals,
at one of which stands quite a young
girl, garbed in the regulation apron
and half-sleeves, but of an age to wear
her hair in schoolgirl fashi, n down
her back. She is ev dently a nOvi e
in the culinary art. and is stir. ing a
saucepanful of apple jelly in embryo,
which is simmering over the gas, in a
tentative way, as if she were not quite
sure what was going TO happen next.
In beyond this kitchen IS the practice
scullery, where the pupils are taught
the proper methods of washing up, the,
best way to clean pots and pans, the
management of ovens and fireplaces,
open and close ranges, and sundryI
other matters of practical detail of
which the ordinary British cook is con-
spicuously ignOraLt.
Passing once again through the big
airy kitchen. where the central group
of pupils as busily rolling out the pas
try for the dumplings, we cross the
passage into another kitchen nearly as
il -.a-I.ich is the practiee-k kitehen for
..high-class cookery In here the pu7
- q,
those who would pene rate the arcana
Cf soups, entrees, purees, sayouries,
sweets, ornamental pastry, and fancy
cakes. 1t has evidently been day of
cab es, for all so is of chOur la creme,
scones, cakes, &c, are being neatly ar
ranged in huge sieves as they are
taken out of the various ovens. The
lesson of the day has been on fish en-
trees, and the dainty fingers of the
Teacher are engaged on SoleS a la ROu-
ennaiSe when we enter. / watch the
whole process from beginning to end ::
the nealness, the methodical precision
which economies so much time and
makes furry impossible and unneces-
sary; the extremely simple and lucid
Explanations how, why, and when to
mix each ingredient, and the exquisite
cleanliness and avoidance of all hand
ting; and L come to the conclusion
hat such teaching, founded on the old
prov verb, "Example is better than pre-
Icept," is not only invaluable, but alb
surdly cheap at the price of eighteen
Ipence for lesson of two hours, or
ten-and-sixpence for a course of twen-
" weeks lessons of five days a week.
Such teaching is worth ali the cook
lery-books in the world, for the written
lrecipes can never give defin te idea of
what dish ought to look like in color
and general appearance when served;
and appearance is quite half the battle
N good cookery. Nothing could be
more appetising in appearance than the
1ish that the teacher sets before us, the
illets of sole smothered in the thick
creamy sauce. whose whiteness is re-
IIieved by the pattern in pounded coral
(which recalls the lobster siuffing under
leath. My uncanny mind Immediately
sees a likeness between the "Demon-
,tration' room, with its tiers of raised
seats overlooking a huge table, and
he dissecting-rOOm at hospital; but
[ keep the idea TO myself, and do not
seek to give qualms to my compe Mon
by suggesting it. The seats are occu-
pied by number of women-mostly
cooks, | should say who, armed with
notebooks and pencils, jot down the
remarks of the teacher, neat fingered,
lainty little figure, in her snowy white
zap, apron and sleeves.
The audience an uses me; it Is so
Easy to distinguish those who have
come there of their own accord, and
paid the fee themselves out of their
own pockets, with the earnest desire to
acquire as much kn .wledge as possible.
from those who have been sent there.
Dy their respective ''missises," and
who eye the teacher superciliously,I
hardly condescending from time to
line TO make a note in their books for
forms sake. The fact that since the,
opening of the School in 1874 no less
nan forty thousand five hundred
pupils have passed through the various
classes down to the present time, Is a
proof that it has not been created IN
vain.
A Photograph Orchestra.