Great meal, super deal at Carson High

Chef Katie Presswood avoids platitudes like "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Her love of lemons resulted in a delicious three-course lemon-themed lunch served at Carson High School.

Not a drop of lemonade was in sight.

"Lemon gives dishes a bold taste rather than something like garlic," she said. "I think my mom had a lot to do with my liking of lemons. She likes lemons too."

For $5, the cost of a meal at the high school's culinary department, tip not included, the lunch included a salad with arugula, onions, oranges and lemon zest; chicken with rice, asparagus and a lemon sauce; and a dessert of strawberries, bananas, yogurt, granola and lemon zest.

School staff and the public are welcome to dine at the Carson High School Culinary Restaurant when it's open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sharon Miller, a French and English teacher at Carson, dines there as often as possible.

"It's great to not to have to worry if I don't prepare a lunch the night before," she said. "I know I can come here and get a meal that's healthy, well-prepared and delicious for a reasonable price."

To dine, call Penny Reynolds, the culinary director, at 283-1600 at least a week in advance.

"We opened the restaurant the second year that the culinary program was going," Reynolds said. "That was six years ago. It is a teaching restaurant where the second-year culinary students do everything. They are responsible for the ordering, menu design, recipes, advertising, running of the actual kitchen and the general flow of the front of the restaurant."

Students also wait on the diners, refilling drinks, removing dishes and bringing what's needed. Ryan Dwyer, 16, was one of the waiters this week.

"I've learned a lot about serving people," he said. "I've never worked at a restaurant before. It's a lot of fun. It's got a great atmosphere."

The students in the culinary class work together for 90 minutes to prepare meals for diners. The chef for the day invites their parents as well as six teachers. The money goes back into the program.

"It was a fun (experience)," Katie said. "I thought it was going to be harder than it actually was. I thought it was a really good experience."

The 18-year-old has been accepted into the prestigious Johnson & Wales Culinary School, but is not sure that's what she wants to do. She does enjoys bold flavors in her cooking and in addition to experiment with lemon, likes using garlic.

"I didn't even think about lemonade," she said. "I think it would have been too much."

- Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.

IF YOU GO

Carson High School Culinary Restaurant

• Open Tuesdays and Thursdays

• Call Penny Reynolds at the school at 283-1600.

• Make reservations at least a week in advance.

• Meals are $5, not including tips.