A gourmet meal on Nantucket for $8 to $12 dollars!
The Nantucket High School Culinary Arts Students, led by their instructor, Bob Buccino have been preparing tasty homemade take out dinners for the past few years during the school year. On Wednesdays and Fridays, soon to be just Fridays, you can pick up your evening meal at the Nantucket High School, room 120. The portions are generous and the meals are scrumptious. They never prepare the same fare twice.
Organic chicken roasted with herbs & garlic served with corn & rice pilaf, apple cider & BBQ pulled pork parfait (moist pulled pork layered with creamy mashed potatoes), tender top sirloin skewered with green pepper, sweet onion & cherry tomatoes served over rice are a few of the recent menu selections. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, the students prepared and sold pies, cookies and an organic hot pepper jelly which is always available for sale.
Bob Buccino said he currently has 48 students, Juniors and Seniors in the Culinary Arts Program. Eleven years ago he started with just 6 students. He was proud to say most students continue on with their culinary interests and many have gone on to culinary schools around the country. The Nantucket culinary arts program is similar to a Culinary Arts School’s 1st year curriculum and his students are preparing many things that are typical of a 2nd year student.
The students learn the many aspects of food preparation. In class they learn how to prepare a basic sauce and then will utilize and incorporate this sauce into a meal. They also learn about meats, different cuts and how to prepare them. These meals are packaged for take out and sold. This program also teaches numerous business skills, and this is an area that Bob would like to enhance next year.
On February 11th, the students will be heading to the Massachusetts Pro-Start Invitational State Culinary Competition. For the past 3 years, the Nantucket students have placed first. Last year they placed 14th in the country. The Nantucket curriculum is even ranked in the top 3 in the surrounding states by the New England Culinary Institute.
To keep the current status and continue this culinary program, the students sell the meals to the public. There is minimal taxpayer support, over 90% is funded by the students through these gourmet offerings.
To order a meal, please email Bob Buccino at
buccinob@nps.k12.ma.us and ask to be added to the e-mail list for the weekly menu. Bon Appetit!