Editor’s Note: Six months ago, Larry Frazer left his executive catering chef position at Princeton University to become Culinary Arts instructor at Eden Institute. His first account described the difficulty of his decision and now, a few months into the school year, we meet his students.
First Day
“Oh my God! What have I gotten myself into? These kids are seriously handicapped. Did I make the right decision coming here? I don’t know yet; only time will tell.”
First Week
“OK, I love it now! I have memorized all of the kids’ names and I say hi to each of them every morning in order to establish some sort of rapport.”
These were the first two entries in the journal I began when I started at Eden Institute, a school in Princeton, New Jersey for autistic children. I thought that I was prepared, having worked with Eden at their summer camp for more than eight years. I always thought the kids at camp were the ones with the most severe behavioral issues. As it turns out the exact opposite is true. So as I sat there and watched my students come into class with the same behaviors and inability to vocalize as they had at camp I sort of freaked out. Don’t get me wrong, I knew that it was going to be a challenge but it kind of put a damper on my naïve vision of what I would immediately achieve when I started teaching at Eden.
I had this vision of having a savant chef sitting at his desk, just waiting to be released into the culinary world. All it would take would be a little time, a knife and some direction and he would leap into a 3-star restaurant as the first autistic Iron Chef. What was I thinking? We don’t even have desks!
So now what was I going to do? I truthfully have not discarded my original dream but the timeline has changed and it’s going take a lot more direction. 
I first had to figure out how I was going to go about teaching these kids. As I started my training in the Eden methodology of teaching I found out that a lot was already figured out. They use a teaching method called ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), which incorporates a lot of repetition and data collection. Again, after six months I am seeing how effective this method really is. I just needed to figure out how to incorporate it into something remotely resembling a culinary arts program.
Start with Life Skills
Since Eden already had a mandatory Life Skills program in which students prepared lunch for the entire class, I decided to use this as a jumping off place. I spent the first month working with the students and observing their skill levels. They already had a menu, which was primarily sandwich making. They also did things like make green salads, powdered juices and set tables. These are all basics of a life skills program. I knew that I wanted to step that up to prepared hot meals in order to see which skill sets I could work on in the future.
Mastering the Menu
I developed the next month’s menu to include six skill sets: working with pizza dough, grilling, pasta salad making, sautéing, wrap sandwiches and hand fabrication (fish cakes, hamburgers etc.) These are all highly sought after skills in the foodservice world.
The immediate reaction to the new menu was great. The students and staff were really tired of just sandwiches so items like grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms and Chef Larry’s soups were a big hit. I don’t even have to say how popular the fresh made pizzas were.
So how did my students do? Let me tell you about Matt. It was the first week of the new menu. I knew from observation that two students (Kevin and Matt) in this one particular group were going to be strong.
I set up the mis en place for wrap making and had Matt watch me make one, cut it in half, and put it on a tray for service. While I was doing this I had Kevin peeling a carrot, which I thought was simple enough. I turned around to see Kevin with a huge grin and a carrot the size of a toothpick. (Lesson learned….explain more and assume less.) I ran over to him to try to explain that all of the carrot should not be going into the garbage. Meanwhile Matt, without any prompting, managed to make six wraps, cut them in half and placed them neatly on the platter.
Now any chef who has tried to teach the envelope fold to their employees knows that it is not the easiest thing. I asked his TA if she had helped him and she had not! It turns out that Matt has total recalland only has to be shown anything once and he is able to repeat it.
You can’t imagine how proud and happy I was in that kitchen that day. It was better than any formal dinner I had prepared for heads of state. I saw a light at the end of a tunnel through which I was not absolutely sure I would be able to successfully travel. It was the start of a string of many breakthroughs that I have had with my students. It was the beginning of a new era at Eden.
Coming next….What was I thinking? These kids can do anything if you give them a chance!
It’s been a great start to the school year Chef Larry! Keep up the good work and your students will follow!!
The article is great!
More, more! This is very inspiring – and entertaining. Please give us regular updates.
Very heartfelt, Larry. Felt your pride and commitment to success with these kids. Congratulations!
E
I was Chef larry sous chef a Grad College & Caterind @ princeton University, I really learned a lot from him he also was my mentor for a few ACF competitions, I really miss him a lot. He’s a great Boss, chef, & also great friend; A good thing about him he always give u a chance to prove ur self, & after u did it, he walk u trhu, & teach u the right way if u did something wrong… I’m so proud of him,,, Chef Larry,, uR the man,,.. God Bless U Boss,,,,
Carrots are VERY healthy toothpicks….. pick yer teeth…consume when done.
“Easy squeezy…lemon peezy.”
…and…. Chef…I KNOW how proud you are. ONE strand of string….wound…again and again onto itself can become an UNbreakable ball. It’s still string….yet…a “breakthrough” in perspective. YOU have found your “path”. Continued success ! – eieio –
Great article Larry. It’s so clear how much you care and what I really enjoyed was feeling that I was right there with you. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Larry: This article helps to reveal the wonderful person that you are….and the excellent teacher that you are. I am so very, very proud of you and am delighted that you have chosen to become a teacher….the children and the profession are enriched beyond measure by your involvement. Tony
Your article made me cry. My grandson just got to
Eden. It is wonderful that you are there with children who really need your help and understanding. Thank you for all that you do for them.
Teaching has always been my first love. Best of luck in your next 6 months. I look forward to hearing more.
Great article that warmed the heart
Wow… you go Chef! And especially Matt and Kevin! I admit to being partial to Matt, as he IS my nephew!
Hi Larry,
Loved your article about teaching at Eden.
I also think Matt is terrific…he’s my grandson. Not only does he take instruction well, he also can teach. He showed me (after I wasted about ten minutes trying to figure it out) how to use a battery operated can opener. Gosh darn these new fangled inventions.
Continued success at Eden.
Granma from Florida
This was a beautiful article. Chef Larry’s diary shows that he has a great sense of humor and how much he cares for these students. This article proves that these students can learn and lead productive lives. I hope that you will continue to publish articles regarding this program, so there will be continued public awareness. On behalf of may family and my nephew Matt, I want to thank Mr. Frazer for his tireless work and dedication.
Bravo…Lar
Write more, More detail…how LONG was that carrot toothpick? Expanded vocabulary…I sso love when you use those words.
A poem now and then>
Any musical jingles being taught while cooking?
Your path is grand…
What a wonderful story! Just goes to show what can be accomplished in this world if we look beyond the surface and share our gifts and talents!
Great work Larry—-Matt is my
wonderful grandson. It is people like you that the big difference in these children. There is nothing that can replace your dedication. Keep up your wonderful work and thank you for your article. Hope to hear more from you.
Manny Sierra, that’s how I remember Chef Larry, as I logged six years as sous-chef under him as well.
Larry, this job should be a breeze for you after years cooking for college-aged Ivy League children!
A very nice article – these kids are lucky.
Keep up the good work Larry !! I know how you feel, myself having a autistic daughter. You are truly amazing !! Mike M