SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Some lessons you just can’t teach from a textbook…. and sushi is definitely one of them.
South Tahoe High School’s Culinary CTE students recently wrapped up their second visit to Yugen Cuisine, a local sushi restaurant owned by the incredibly generous Armando and Shelly Martinez.
During their initial visit, students toured the restaurant and got to sample what felt like an endless parade of sushi rolls. Not a bad way to kick off a unit. But on the return trip, the aprons went on, and the real work began. Students learned the full art and science behind sushi making…. from the surprisingly short shelf life of sushi rice, to the precise tightness of a roll, to proper knife etiquette. They crafted five rolls: a California roll, a spicy California roll, a Lily roll, a Deluxe tempura shrimp roll, and a Rainbow roll. That’s not a beginner’s menu.
What made this experience stand out wasn’t just the rolling and slicing, but the presentation. Students arranged all five rolls on a traditional sushi boat, then decorated the presentation with cucumber flowers, ginger flowers, and wasabi leaves. Armando and Shelly not only taught the kids how to make sushi, but also taught them how to think like chefs, where presentation is every bit as important as the food itself.
This is exactly what Career & Technical Education is about. Real kitchens. Real skills. Real mentors who show up and share their craft with a group of high school students eager to learn. Yugen Cuisine gave our students the type of experience they won’t find in a classroom. Thank you to Shelly & Armando Martinez for giving their time, their patience, and their passion.
-Erika Mathews, South Tahoe High CTE Specialist
