Manhattan's Only Culinary High School Says It's Without Working Kitchens

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — How will the next Emeril Lagasse perfect his or her "Bam!" with no working kitchen? Students at the Food and Finance High School in Hell's Kitchen are trying to figure that out, this week, as five of the school's six kitchens are without gas, according to school.

Food and Finance High School has since launched a #nokitchens Twitter campaign directed at NYC Department of Education officials.

Appliances at the school, located at 525 W. 50th St. between 10th and 11th avenues, were working until the School Construction Authority (SCA) did unrelated work starting in June, a source at the school told the New York Post.

Since then, students have been unable to continue practicing their craft, as oven and ranges aren't functioning due to poor gas supply and other problems, school officials said on Twitter.

The Post obtained emails, including one from Nan Shipley, chairwoman of the nonprofit group that supports the school, who wrote, “430 kids can’t cook. Our seniors can’t train for culinary competition. Our freshmen have no idea why they are at the school. The culture of the school is withering on the vine.”

The Food and Finance High School directed Patch's inquiries to the city's Department of Education (DOE).

Toya Holness, a spokesperson for the DOE, said in an email: “The necessary repairs are being completed and we expect all of the kitchens to be fully operational in the next month, pending an inspection by the FDNY. We will continue working closely with the school as we monitor the situation and provide ongoing supports.”

Lead image via Google Street View