Opelika, Alabama is witnessing a remarkable transformation in culinary education. An east Alabama high school is not just teaching students about food but is actually providing them with the chance to run a food truck, taking their culinary classes and skills to new heights.

Unlock Culinary Potential with Opelika High School's Food Truck

Opening the Culinary Food Truck

On Tuesday morning, Opelika High School proudly opened its brand new Culinary Food Truck. This dream concept has finally come to life, as Judy Eldred shared. The truck is a unique conversion of an old school bus originally from Tallahassee, FL. It stands as a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the students.Principal Kelli Fischer emphasized its significance, stating, "I just think it's the coolest thing. Thinking back to my high school days, I definitely didn't have this same experience. It also shows how dedicated the people in Opelika are to serving our students in every possible way."

Student-Led Business Model

The food truck is set to be a student-led business. Culinary instructor Judy Eldred explained that it is designed to give students in culinary classes hands-on experience in food preparation, customer service, and real-world business and marketing practices."We'll start by allowing the students to create their own menus. They'll compete against other teams of students to see whose team generates the most revenue. They'll handle everything from the business side, like marketing and sales, to the actual food preparation," Eldred shared.

Student Excitement and Career Aspirations

Tanvi Kumar, a senior with dreams of a culinary career, is excited to get a head start by working in the food truck. She said, "It's a bit scary, but it's also incredibly cool that we get to experience this. Not many high schools offer this, and it's really beneficial for those who want to pursue a culinary career. Owning a food truck at our age is new to everyone, and it's a wonderful opportunity."

First Real-World Test

The culinary food truck is all set to make its first real-world test at Opelika's Christmas In A Railroad Town on Friday. The culinary instructor mentioned that starting from next semester, they will gradually participate in more events and might even make appearances at Opelika Food Truck Fridays. This is an exciting step forward in the students' culinary journey.