A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of sitting down with three seniors graduating from Westerly High School’s culinary program. Chef Jamie Finkelstein tells me that while every year is difficult when you lose a group of seniors, this year will be especially difficult as these students have worked very hard and have formed a tight bond.

Senior Hope Kisinger will be going into the Air Force upon graduation with the ultimate hope of eventually going on to culinary school. Coming from a military Navy family, when asked why she selected the Air Force she said she wanted to do something different.

Kisinger has been involved in the culinary program since her freshman year. She remembers her first class when she accidentally burnt herself on the stove. She says she didn’t know it would be so hot. Her greatest achievement in the last four years has been learning how to properly frost a cake. In May she will present her senior project on her barbecue spice rub which she has made an action plan for selling once she is settled in one area in a few year’s time. It is her favorite spice to cook with.

Inspired by both Paula Deen and Emeril, Kisinger prefers cooking to baking and loves southern style flavors. I sat down with her and asked her a few questions about food.

WF: Do you watch cooking shows on TV? If so, which are your favorites and why?

HK: Yes, all of them! My favorite is Chopped. I like how you can have a basket and you have to make something out of it and you have no idea what it will be.

WF: Have you worked in kitchens outside of the Highland Grille?

HK: Yes, McDonald’s and St. Clair Annex in Watch Hill.

WF: What is the best thing you’ve ever eaten?

HK: Fried Chicken from Pirates’ House in Savannah Georgia.

WF: What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

HK: Fried gator.

WF: What is the most disgusting thing you’ve ever eaten?

HK: My dad’s chowder.

WF: I’m not sure if I should print that! Do you have a favorite restaurant?

HK: Yes, One Eyed Lizzy’s in Savannah, Georgia.

WF: Did you help out in your family kitchen growing up?

HK: Yes, since I was three. I have pictures of me sitting on the kitchen counter cutting stuff up.

WF: Do you have a favorite thing to cook or food to cook with?

HK: Chicken Francaise- chicken would be my favorite thing to cook with.

WF: What is your dream job?

HK: To be an executive chef in my own kitchen.

WF: Where do you hope to be in five years?

HK: I’ll be in the military for six years and then I’ll pay for college with the GI Bill.

WF: If you could meet one chef who would it be and why?

HK: Paula Deen because her base is Georgia and that is the cuisine I want to cook with. I have a signed cookbook by her so that would be cool.

WF: What inspires your cooking?

HK: My family. We always have something new to eat every week. It was my nana’s idea but now my dad continues it.

WF: What did you eat for breakfast?

HK: Peanut butter on toast, a GO-gurt and an apple.

WF: What is your favorite junk food?

HK: Ice cream.

WF: How do you feel about people taking photographs in restaurants?

HK: I think it is inspirational to other people who can’t cook as well and it also might bring people into the restaurant.

WF: Give us a kitchen tip.

HK: Always keep your kitchen area clean so clean up is faster.

WF: Do you have a favorite family recipe?

HK: Corn Chowder.

WF: Do you have a favorite subject at school outside of the culinary program?

HK: English. I like reading a lot. I read ten books a week.

WF: Favorite place to get pizza in Westerly?

HK: Pizza Place. They have really good quatro formaggio.

WF: What is your favorite food based movie?

HK: Burnt. It made me want to do that.

WF: What will you take away from your culinary education at Westerly High School?

HK: Never overwhelm yourself. Write things through and break it down- especially when you have a catering event.

Westerly Food would like to thank Hope for sitting down with us. We wish you the best with your future!

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