On October 27, Brian Smith, or “the man” as lots of kids call him, came to SJHS to teach kids about how to make Japanese food. Brian is related to Mrs. Luke, the foods teacher at SJHS, and so she was really happy to see him again. Brian spent two years in Japan, and he LOVES to cook Japanese food. It’s his seventh year coming to teach kids how to cook. He has been teaching ninth graders only, but two years ago, he started to teach eighth graders too. He has taught them how to make salads and salad dressings. He also taught them about fruits and other healthy foods.
On Thursday, he taught the ninth graders how to make Sukiyakidonburi, a Japanese beef and tofu dish. Mrs. Luke said, “I really enjoy having Brian come, because I think that he likes to come and I know that the kids like having him come too.” Brian answers the students’ questions about his travels to Japan, and he’ll tell them crazy stories about his mission to Japan. The kids enjoy it because some of the stories are real funny.
Caden Swendsen, ninth grader at SJHS, claims to be Brian’s biggest fan. Caden said, “He is my hero. His food is amazing, and he inspired me to grow a beard and to be amazing at life. If I could cook like him, my life would be set.” Emilee Christensen, another ninth grader at SJHS, said, “Brian is just plain awesome. My favorite thing that he’s made for us is the beef and bread thingy, the tofu dish, and Tony’s salad. He makes super good food, and it fits in to what he talks to us about when he answers our questions.”