Athens High School culinary arts student Rebecca McCord serves Marcus Echart, Athens Masonic Lodge No. 165 member, at the group’s monthly meeting. Students prepare dinner for the lodge’s monthly meetings to learn about real-life food service situations.

Athens High School culinary arts students are able to practice their classroom skills through a partnership at the local Masonic lodge.

Students are preparing dinner for monthly meetings at Athens Masonic Lodge No. 165 to learn about real-life food service situations, according to a lodge news release.

Blu Nicholson, lodge senior steward, established the collaboration with the culinary arts program and the lodge, the release says.

“The Athens Masonic Lodge is thrilled to provide the students a place to cultivate their culinary skills, and look forward to a successful relationship with the program,” Nicholson said.

Athens culinary students learn about customer relations, preparing and serving safe food, preventing accidents and injuries, kitchen basics, food-service equipment and nutrition in the school program. They practice their culinary skills and learn how to use commercial food service equipment.

The student-prepared dinners impressed the Mason membership.

“This is one of the best meals we have ever had,” said Larry LoBello, lodge worshipful master.

Daniel Hunt, lodge junior deacon, enjoyed the food as well.

“The food is fantastic,” he said. “And this gives the kids a chance to practice what they are learning.”