Twice this month, the Grade 9 French classes at St. Jean de Brébeuf CSS welcomed Chef Alexa through the Chef à l’école program for a hands-on culinary experience conducted entirely in French.
Leading up to the visit, students practiced key French vocabulary to prepare for the session. During the workshop, Chef Alexa guided students step-by-step—in French—as they prepared the classic French cookie “Langue de Chat”, which translates to “Cat’s Tongue,” named for the cookie’s long, delicate shape.
Students worked in groups and were provided aprons as they began baking. They measured ingredients, prepared the dough and whipped cream, piped the mixture onto baking trays, and finally baked and enjoyed their creations. Many students were surprised at how delicious the cookies were, especially considering they were made with simple ingredients and came together quickly.
Beyond baking, Chef Alexa also shared insights into Canadian French culture and history, along with her personal story about how learning another language opened doors for travel and career opportunities.
This experience gave students a wonderful opportunity to practice their French in an authentic and engaging environment, while learning new culinary skills and working collaboratively with their classmates.
St. Jean de Brébeuf CSS looks forward to welcoming Chef Alexa again in the future!
