Students in Sherrie Smith’s sixth-grade math class at Polk County Middle School are learning to cook. Becky Davis, professional caterer and parent volunteer, meets with the students twice a month to teach them how to measure ingredients and follow directions in a recipe. In addition, the students are learning manners, kitchen hygiene and safety in the kitchen. So far, they have learned to make granola, Christmas cookies, cream of carrot soup and potato and corn chowder. The groceries for the cooking classes are donated by local stores for this project. Above: Davis helps Moira Davis peel a potato for chowder. Below: Paige Boone carefully measures vanilla extract for a cookie recipe while Caroline Besnard looks on. (photos by Sherrie Smith)