High School’s culinary arts program goes beyond classroom

The Roosevelt Culinary Arts (RCA) program hosts community meals a few times a year. The RCA is a class that helps students learn how to cook and practice professional chef skills.
Ben Rengstorf has been the RCA instructor since 2017. In 2022, he was named “The National ProStart Teacher of the Year” by the National Restaurant Association. He has also been interviewed by FOX 9 and KARE 11. Rengstorf’s goal is to bring people together through food. He has created a loving, supportive environment for his students.
Carlyn Shanley is in her second year at Roosevelt. She was an English teacher at various schools in Minneapolis and worked parttime in kitchens. Shanley inquired about the job years ago. Many years later, a position came available and she jumped at the chance.
The inaugural community meal was in 2019. The meals were served in the front hallway. A second community meal was served at George Floyd Square. In the winter, the RCA hosts an “Empty Bowl” community meal; it’s an auction for Roosevelt students’ handmade ceramic bowls. Not only is food served in the bowls, all proceeds are donated to food pantries and organizations that help support people with food insecurity.
These community meals really are just that; with the Roosevelt Choir and Band singing and playing music and students, staff, friends and neighbors attending. The Ecology of Minnesota class (Roosevelt Farming Program) and jewelry class host tables at these events to sell their wares and educate the public. At the fall meal, the RHS Farming Program gave away native seed packets and the jewelry program sold necklaces, earrings, and ceramic tumblers.
RCA instructors Rengstorf and Shanley buy solely from local markets and companies with the goal of putting as much back into the community as possible. Not only do these meals bring people together and nourish their bodies with good food, they also help local and family run businesses stay afloat. For the fall meal on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, 30 pounds of bison was ordered from Rengstorf’s family farm.
Rengstorf believes, “When you cook together you form a community.” The RCA class does just that – working together, cooking together, cleaning together and eating together.
“I love that I can learn how to cook in a judgment-free environment, and in a space that is meant to be for learning,” said RCA senior Charlie.
RHS Parent Liaison Crictina Patlan added, “It’s important to gather our community members together around a meal. Watching the students shine with pride when serving something they made, is absolutely the best part.” She is proud of how so many come together to make something so thoughtful happen, and hopes more people come to these events.
The fall meal was served in the media center, which was new. Attendees praised the food and the student chefs.
Now, to the food: bison meat balls with a berry sauce, corn salsa, and wild rice. Homemade maple lemonade that was a hit with all everyone. Paper menus were available on each table.The RCA made sure that plates, cups and cutlery were all compostable.
If you would like to attend an RCA Community Meal, or donate to the RCA, go to rooseveltculinaryarts.org. Donations ensure the department is fully funded and that caring, thoughtful instructors can continue to teach RHS students how to cook in a nurturing, safe environment.
Rosalind Smith is a student at Roosevelt High School.