MCC Culinary Arts Program Gets Creative with Remote Learning

Middlesex Community College – like many colleges and universities across the country – transitioned to remote, virtual and limited contact systems for the college’s coursework and student services due to the effects of COVID-19. MCC’s faculty had to make quick and creative solutions to continue offering students hands-on learning experiences.

As a leader of online education for over 20 years, Middlesex was able to make a smooth transition to remote courses. Kim Morrissey, MCC’s Hospitality & Culinary Arts Program Coordinator, also credits the college’s students for their resiliency during these challenging times. The students coming together “in this new virtual world” has been inspiring.

“They have been working hard to create fantasy restaurants and creating presentations to share with their classmates,” she said. “They have also been virtually planning large scale events and taking virtual tours of restaurants, hotels and event venues. Many of my students have been sharing photos of their own recipes and food they have been making at home.”

Andy Sirois is an adult-learner who came to Middlesex to get a certificate in Culinary Arts. He is impressed by the quality of instruction at MCC and lists the community, the support, and the ease of the registration and payment process as the best parts of attending the college.

“Being able to continue with these courses has provided some structure to my day and I feel I am still making progress,” Sirois said. “I enjoy it so much that after I get my certificate, I’ll stay and take a few more business courses to get my associate in Culinary Arts/Hospitality.”

His Business courses with Morrissey are asynchronous classes, so materials can be accessed at any time. Morrissey provides videos, narrated presentations, a discussion board, readings and assignments in addition to live virtual meetings.

The transition to this style of learning was smooth, but Sirois’s Food Science & Sanitation class requires more hands-on, practical learning. To combat this challenge, Professor Jim Giordano includes instructions for students to bake on their own. Students just need to have access to a kitchen, stove and baking utensils.

Giordano has been making demonstration videos for his students along with schematics and diagrams. He has even been working with a video editor to ensure his instructional materials are high-quality and easy to follow.

For the class, Sirois baked a fruit tart and a Torte De L’opera at home – creating a slideshow depicting each stage of the process, from how to make a ganache to a chocolate glaze.

Andrea Melanson is also a Culinary Arts student taking Giordano’s class. She made a Joconde Sponge Cake and documented the process with a one-minute video that included descriptions of her process.

“I have been trying to bake things that we baked in the previous baking class to improve my skills and do the projects that we would have been doing in the kitchen classes,” Melanson said. “During this uncertain time, it is something that I look forward to. It is interesting to be able to do the projects at home and that helps me stay calm when I feel stressed or anxious.”

Although she doesn’t always have the necessary ingredients for every recipe, Melanson said coming up with substitutions is part of the fun.

Melanson is expecting to graduate in 2021. Her favorite part about Middlesex so far has been meeting and working with a diverse group of people who she has learned from, both in her studies and socially.

Both Sirois and Melanson miss the in-class component and connection to their fellow students and professors, but see the benefit to working at their own pace at home.

Giordano has been inspired by his students and their perseverance, despite the circumstances.

“I know that connecting with them as if I were in class will be more meaningful,” he said. “We’re also trying to communicate with video conferencing just to keep in touch and see each other.”

For more information on MCC’s Hospitality & Culinary Arts program, contact Kim Morrissey, Program Coordinator, at morrisseyk@middlesex.mass.edu or call 978-656-3170.

MCC’s Quickstart Summer Session and Summer Sessions 1 and 2 will feature enhanced online learning options. Summer is a great time for students to take general requirements.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information and to register for classes.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!