John F. Kennedy High School has produced three skillful chefs, brought together by a shared love for cooking and community service.
Merrick residents Matthew Klein, Alyssa Beznicki and Oriana Merzlyak are seniors enrolled in JFK’s Culinary Hospitality and Applied Management Program, also known as CHAMP. The program teaches students about cooking and running businesses. They met in the program last year, and now share a vision of keeping the community well fed.
“We really are appreciative of our CHAMP Program,” Klein said. The various instructors in the program have been “great inspirations in this process,” inspiring the trio to give their best in the development of their skills and in the support they provide to the community. “We thank them for all they’ve done for us,” he added.
The “MAO” team, named using each student’s first initial, comes together monthly to create a four-course tasting menu as a part of their “Cooking for a Cause” project. The meal is made from scratch, and highlights each chef’s specialties, from dinners to desserts. They recently completed their ninth event.
“We’ve had a lot of people that have been asking us to (cook) for them,” Klein said. “Obviously, we can’t attend to everyone because we are very busy, and it’s hard to continue doing it more than once a month, but it’s great to know that people trust us and they want to taste our food.”
MAO’s fundraisers began last year, becoming monthly traditions for their families, usually held at one of their homes. For each meal, the team thoroughly vets new recipes that will test their skills and practices until it is time to prepare the meal for patrons.
“It’s been going really well. Over the past year, we have been getting more confident in doing this,” Merzlyak said. “Practice is perfect, and it’s been smooth.”
“Even after a year later, there’s still a large following behind now, and still several people are interested,” Beznicki added. “We probably have reservations for months at this point. Hopefully, this following will continue even as we go into college, during breaks whenever we have free time.”
The trio’s passion for cooking could not be contained in a classroom. What first started as a hobby became a special project when they considered inviting customers and donating the proceeds to those in need.
According to Beznicki, the group raised nearly $2,500 for Island Harvest, plus $200 worth of food donations and household cleaning supplies to the Bellmore Community Cupboard.
“Hopefully through the next few events we host, we will surpass $3,000,” she said.
The diners who attend the team’s fundraisers are frequently friends and family members who make donations to Island Harvest Food Bank, a nonprofit food charity that relieves hunger for people across Long Island. According to the food bank, MAO has provided over 4,000 meals for neighbors in need as of August.
“Students participating in JFK’s culinary program are to be commended for their unique fundraising efforts to help Island Harvest in our mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island,” Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest said. “We know that young adults can and certainly do make a difference.”
The fundraisers come at a time when communities are still reeling from the disruption of benefits due to the 43-day government shutdown. For those financially struggling, food banks and pantries could be a last chance at having a Thanksgiving dinner.
“Thanksgiving is a celebration with food and family, and we want to make sure everybody experiences that and enjoys that celebration,” Merzlyak said. “Anything small that can be donated has a huge impact.”
As their senior year at JFK approaches its conclusion, the three intend to continue cooking together for the near future, when the opportunities arise between college semesters. In any case, these nine meals have taught the chefs lessons that will last a lifetime.
“Working with Matthew and Alyssa has actually taught me more about how working in a kitchen works,” Merzlyak said. “I’ve learned how to, like do my role in the kitchen, not get in other people’s way, and learn the ways and the flow of cooking in the kitchen, and that will stick with me forever.”
To donate to the MAO’s cause, find more information at @food_with_friends_24 on Instagram.
