The delicious, heavenly smell of food being prepared is a common aroma for anybody traveling down the 6100 hallway.

Yet, what many students don’t know is, while they get to smell these mouth-watering, edible treats, Brenda Guzman’s catering class is battling against time to prepare food for various customers across the community.

The students operate the stoves and participate in the creation of each order placed with them.

“We follow orders based on what people want and fulfill them as fast as possible,” catering student Nasyelly Hernandez said.

Many school programs have found it convenient and more efficient to use the catering class for events such as UIL meets, sporting events, gifts, and after-school meetings, because, like other catering businesses in town, they also produce high quality food.

“It’s great to be able to provide food for an event and have the money go back into a Bryan program,” UIL coordinator Rebecca Dominy said.

What many people may not know about catering is it involves a lot of disciplined time management in meeting the requirements for a customer’s expectations with a specific deadline.

Along with time management, catering also boosts responsibility, which can help tremendously when having a job outside of high school.

Guzman said that one of their most difficult jobs was at a retirement reception in Texas A&M, which was held outdoors.

“We served hot and cold finger foods as well as made a retirement cake. There is a lot more to do when you are working a venue that is off site, like making sure that you have everything you need when you go the first time because you won’t have time to come back,” Guzman said.

Due to the need to get these orders in as fast as possible, the program does require a small amount of out of class time.

“If there is a job that was not completed in the two-hour class period, I have one of my catering students work on it during 6th period, and if we are still not finished, then I will finish it during 7th,” Guzman said. “I also sometimes have to use time outside of school to test and try different ideas and techniques before the students actually work with them.”

Even though the class takes a great deal of work, effort and dedication, it’s also very enjoyable.

“[We] never have a dull moment and it’s the most delicious class you will ever take,” catering student Ashley Swanz said.

These components are very important for the students who plan on entering the culinary world after they graduate high school.

“Culinary arts has helped me better my skills for the restaurant business,”  Price said. “I find it will be very important especially since I plan on being a restaurant manager.”

The catering program makes various amounts of foods from all different food groups that take great deal of technique and learning.

“When a customer asks for something that we have not tried before it is always fun to get in the kitchens and try new things.” Guzman said

For more information of how to get involved in the catering class stop by room 6159 or speak with your counselor.