R. Earl Frederick, cuisine management professor at Clark College’s McClaskey Culinary Institute, shared some of his school’s community activities during the 2022-2023 school year. Frederick is no stranger to giving back to local people as he received the 2022 Community Outreach Honorable Mention Award from the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education.

Frederick said this of his commitment to community outreach: “Food is just a vehicle we use to build community.”

Thanksgiving 2022: Meals with a Purpose
Last Thanksgiving, culinary arts students under Frederick’s direction cooked meals for 19 PeaceHealth hospice families, totaling 92 individual meals. Local firefighters, both on- and off-duty, volunteered to deliver the meals to families. Many traveled long distances throughout Clark and Cowlitz counties to reach recipients’ houses. The holiday tradition began in 2012 by Fire Capt. Tom Schell who had a friend that stayed in PeaceHealth before passing away.

Frederick said, “We felt the need to help by cooking flavorful, nutritious meals and alleviate the burden of having to cook while caring for a loved one.” This year’s meal consisted of smoked turkey, cornbread stuffing, braised greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh cranberry relish and a fresh-baked roll from the Professional Baking and Pastry program.

October 2023: Celebrating Black History Month
For Clark College’s Café service, culinary students will focus on more than just “soul food,” but foods from the African diaspora. Each week menu items will change but always include a focus on an individual or group of people who influenced the dishes. The college’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will have an educational table set up in the food court area as well as displays in the adjacent courtyard. Frederick said that he hopes to tell a story with these dishes and informative displays that transport the diner to the specific origin area. Here is a sample of planned menu items:

Arroz con gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)- Puerto Rico
Trinidad curry duck- Trinidad and Tobago
Fejioada (Brazilian meat stew) - Brazil
Jerk chicken - Jamaica
Griot (Pork stew) - National dish of Haiti
Gumbo Z’Herbes- New Orleans

Juneteenth 2023: College-wide Barbeque Planned   
The college will be hosting its 2nd Annual Juneteenth barbeque during finals week in June 2023. The McClaskey Culinary Institute and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are co-sponsoring the event. Plans to date include featuring barbeque made by the culinary arts students, educational booths, live music and guest speakers. The food will also be packaged in printed boxes that reinforce the event’s meaning.

Click here to view a video of the college’s inaugural Juneteenth celebration during COVID restrictions in June 2021.