The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-16
SOCIETY LEARNS TO COOK.
school Where Rich Women Learn
Something Practical.

New York Evening Sun.
Probably the oldest charity founded in
New York, and most prominent because of
it's patronage by New York society women,
some of whom were in its classes when
girls, is the New York Cooking School,
whica at present has it's ample quarters in
the United Charities building at the cor
ner OK Fourth avenue and Twenty
street. The classes are in charge of Miss
Emily Huntington, who has had the ex-
perience of cooking for years, and who, by
her practical instruction, has turned many
thoughtfess debutante into a capable
young housekeeper, in every way facili-
tated to conduct her future household.
In the cooking department are ten good
sized rooms fitted out with tables, stoves
all manner of cooking utensils, and pleas
ant little rooms, where the cooking of the
classes is spread out and enjoyed as a
lunch or dinner by the classes. The kitchen
is large and well lighted, and contains an
immense range where all the dainties and
substantial branches of the culinary art
are put TO an actual test
For several years this cooking school has
been one of the favorite fancies of society
women during the winter mornings Glasses
from six to twelve are formed, the women
banding themselves in order that each
others social engagements will not con-
iilct with the work. Here the prosaic art
of cooking becomes a real delight and
there is absolutely nothing in the way of
cooking. from the preparation of the
daintiest breakfast or lunch to the heaviest
OF dinners or banquets, but what Miss
Huntington and her corps of experienced
teachers are qualified to instruct the
classes in. Those who are experienced in
some parts Of cooking and lacking in other
branches are taught what they request and
some women even send their cooks for pri-
vate lessons, which is one of the privileges
accorded by the system.
The most influential names of New York
society are back of this enterprise, and it is
endowed yearly by the same well-to-do
families, whose purses are as bountiful
as full.
But 1t must be remembered" saws Miss
Huntington. that this is really a chart
table school, not absolutely society fad.
or course we must depend on our income
derived from the classes of well-to-do
women who are members of the classes
Tor this all goes toward the maintenance
OF the mission classes. The whole object
or the work. and it always has been, is to
place the school in such a financial posi-
ton that we can teach the working girls
or the night classes and the children of
the tenement districts free of charge. They
have the very same facilities and instruc-
lions as the society women, but, of course,
on more modified scale, such as being
taught the branches of cooking that will
suit their more slender purses. The same
experienced teachers instruct them.
The working girls classes will all begin
hold these classes now owing TO the young
women having to work nights in the
stores. AS we all know, many Of these
| girls marry men who are connected in
| business with them-such as a saleslady
marrying clerk or floorwalker-and as
| these girls, many of Them have worked
IN stores since they were children they
have had no chance whatever in practi-
| cal cooking or housekeeping, and it is
this we undertake TO teach them free of
| charge at our night classes.
Then again, the mother and father in
| n tenement house may both be working TO
| support large family. Their hours are
| long and they are tired and hungry when
| they get home. Perhaps there is a little
| girl ten or twelve years old in the family
| She then comes to our mission classes and
| this little thing is taught practical cooking
and is instructed how to save and utilize
what is left over from one meal for the
next There are many parents all over
| this city whose hearts are made lighter
| by good dinner awaiting them at night
| prepared by one of these eager little
| cooks. Small boys are also found in classes
and many miniature chef is born in this
| manner"
| The society girl contemplating marriage
HES herself TO the cooking school, where
| the instruction, which at first seems play
| grows intensely interesting as the course
goes on, and finally she is qualified TO order
a dinner at home that she herself knows
| how to prepare.
lone day." says Miss Huntington, Miss
| Cameron, the daughter of the late Sir
| Roderick Cameron, exclaimed IN her class
after she had finished her morning instruc-
ton: What a dinner I ordered of my cook
| last night. Why, all the things 1 ordered
We're to be cooked on one place OF the stove
| all in the oven and L don't see now she
ever got through
This is one of the secrets the cooking
school teaches. Every part of the stove is
| used-oven, top and open fire-in the prepa-
| ration OF a dinner, for no one realizes the
| struggle of a poor cook down in the kitchen
| trying 10 cook dinner ''all on one place
| on the stove" Things are half-cooked and
| tasteless, and the cook is eventually dis
| charged owing to the inexperience of the
| housewife herself.
The public is invited to visit the school on
| Wednesdays from to o'clock in the
| afternoon. Then will be seen classes of the
| mission children at work in their neat white
aprons and caps and VINO follow their
| teacher with great eagerness.
| .'All women who join the paying classes,
| which are very reasonable, can reel that
they are benefiting themselves and also
| supporting a worthy charity supplement-
ed Miss Huntington.