STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New Dorp High School’s culinary program recently served up success at its third annual food festival. In the high school cafeteria student chefs showcased their skills by preparing and serving meals for approximately 200 people.
The culinary program, which began in 2018 “from humble beginnings with no kitchen,” according to Chef Niko Mousmoutis, the school’s culinary instructor. He explained its evolution over the years: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program adapted by pivoting to remote cooking classes through video demonstrations.
The event featured student-created menus, leadership roles for seniors, and cultural displays including roast pork, egg rolls, bubble tea, Asian-style vegetables and more. (Courtesy of Chef Niko Mousmoutis)(Courtesy of Chef Nicholas Mousmoutis)
This year’s festival was a collaborative effort between the culinary program and the Pan-Asian Culture Club. Chef Mousmoutis worked alongside Ms. Gabriele DeLeon, who serves as the Asian club advisor, softball coach, and teacher.
While the event wasn’t open to the public, it welcomed all teachers, staff, and their visitors. According to Chef Mousmoutis, similar public events are held during Comicon and other special occasions.
“It was incredibly gratifying to watch the student chefs work and use all their skills and talents that they have learned over the years to execute this large event,” Mousmoutis said. “It was also amazing to see the Pan-Asian culture club come together to display and make their artwork, decorations, origami, and bubble tea station made to order!”
The festival highlighted student leadership, with two seniors taking on specific roles. Jen Cheah was operations manager and Alecia Marie Delgado acted as executive chef.
Mousmoutis expressed pride in seeing the students “come together and delegate tasks and timeframes to prep, cook, and set up everything on time—hot, delicious and professionally from the menu that they created all from scratch.”
For graduating seniors in the culinary program, a special surprise awaits. Mousmoutis revealed that graduates will receive gift-wrapped Kikuichi knives, complete with Japanese scarves and wooden covers, as mementos of their accomplishments at New Dorp High School.
Mousmoutis enthused, “We are actually trying to plan more celebrations and a Greek fest next year among other cool events like Spanish and Italian heritage festivals.”
The fourth annual event is scheduled for May 2026.