Taste This: Apple nachos at Garfield Community Learning Center (1326 Brown Street, Akron)
Creator: A trio of 16-year-old student chefs — Anaiyah Williams (junior), Jaden Haley (junior) and Ja’Nyah Davis (sophomore).
What makes this item special: The apple nachos are a play on an American classic, substituting ground beef and/or chili for sweet, sauteed apples over homemade cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips.
Eye test: You first notice the liberal sprinkling of powdered sugar atop glistening caramelized apples. The chips, fried to order and tossed in a cinnamon-sugar mix, provide the base.
Process: The student chefs start by peeling Granny Smith apples and cooking them slowly in butter and a secret mix of sweet ingredients. This sautees the apples into a delicious and gooey mixture. When the chips are ready, the apple mixture is piled on. The dish is finished with a drizzle of house-made caramel sauce and sifted powdered sugar.
Creators’ backstory: The student trio enrolled in Garfield CLC’s Culinary Arts pathway aren’t sure what their futures hold. Each pursued this pathway because they were interested in a career that helps them facilitate the breaking of bread between friends and family. Each has shown promise — their apple nachos won a student bake-off during Garfield’s showcase.
“Taste This” is our glimpse of the Akron area’s tastiest, distinctive and popular (or soon-to-be-famous) food, drinks and desserts — and the local culinary talents behind them. Tough job, we know. Know any menu items we should consider? Tell us here.
They crafted the dish and dealt with any hiccups, under the watchful guidance of Jen Morales, the school’s culinary pathway teacher. If that dish is any indication, they have a ready path if they choose to pursue their culinary ambitions after they walk across the graduation stage.
Pairs with: Apple cider, of course!
About the school: Garfield CLC is one of Akron Public Schools’ nine high schools that offer unique College and Career Academy paths for students. At Garfield CLC, students can pursue culinary arts, advanced manufacturing, construction and building technology and nursing and patient care under the Acme Fresh Market Academy of Innovation and Industry. Under the FirstEnergy Academy of Emerging Technology and Design, students can pursue business management, criminal justice, energy and environmental protection and engineering technology.
How to buy: The apple nachos were free for visitors during a recent showcase event at the school. Students and faculty at the building can visit the pathway kitchen for special pop-up events during the school year. General public: Interested in contracting the students for catering? Contact Jen Morales at jmorales@apslearns.org.
