NextLevel summer youth program

Next Level College for Kids summer programming continues this week with a focus on culinary, agriculture, HVACR and paying for college. A group of 15 students from The Outlet and Douglas Prep, ranging in age from 14-17, are on campus for four weeks (June 13-July 7). The program is designed to expose students to technology and culinary experiences, as well as college and career options.

Student learning from chef in culinary labStudents and Michael Phelon in culinary labFour students working to assemble a model of an animalThree students assembling a model of a sheep

In the news

WICS Marketplace featured “History Cooks: Food of Lincoln’s Springfield,” a series of cooking demonstrations of dishes from President Lincoln’s time, on June 15. LLCC Culinary is partnering with the Lincoln Home National Historic Site this summer to provide these demonstrations.

The public is invited to the Lincoln Home every Friday afternoon at 1 p.m., June 3-Aug. 5, to learn from LLCC culinary staff and local chefs. Everyone attending will receive a souvenir recipe card so they can re-create the tasty dishes at home. Read more.

NextLevel Summer Youth Program

LLCC Community Education is hosting a group of 15 students from The Outlet and Douglas Prep, ranging in age from 14-17 for four weeks (June 13-July 7) of College for Kids summer programming, entitled NextLevel, which is designed to expose students to technology and culinary experiences, as well as college and career options.

Two students working on Black Rocket gaming on a computerStudents in a computer labAdult and student using a hammer in building a bird houseStudents around construction work bench working on bird housesShowing students EMS equipmentNick Ferreira talking showing students the ambulance simulator

In the community

LLCC is well represented at the Sangamon County Fair in New Berlin going on now through Sunday. LLCC Recruitment has an information table in the exhibit hall and LLCC banners are hung in the Talent Building and Grandstand.

LLCC banner on talent contest stageLLCC banner on fence at Sangamon County Fair grandstand

LLCC info booth at Sangamon County Fair
On Saturday, June 11, Joshua Dineen, chef specialist, demonstrated grilling techniques and served up samples of kabobs, cookies and pizza at Ace Hardware, 1600 Wabash Ave., Springfield.

Josh Dineen and Ace representative with grill in front of store

Community Ed Culinary demonstrating grilling techniques

This Saturday, June 11, 10-11 a.m., Joshua Dineen, chef specialist, will be demonstrating grilling techniques and serving up samples at Ace Hardware, 1600 Wabash Ave., Springfield.

LLCC Community Education culinary chefs will be providing these demonstrations from 10-11 a.m. at three Ace Hardware stores this summer. Additional demos:

  • June 25, 900 W. Morton Ave., Jacksonville – Kim Carter, adjunct culinary instructor
  • July 9, 1713 W. Spresser St., Taylorville – Jolene Lamb, culinary coordinator

In the news

Jolene Lamb, LLCC Community Education culinary coordinator, provided a cooking demonstration on how to make sugar snap pea salad with radishes, mint and ricotta salata on WICS Tuesday and discussed the LLCC cooking demonstrations that are taking place at the Illinois Products Farmers Market.

Sugar snap pea salad with radishes, mint and ricotta salata

¾ cup sliced radishes
4 ounces sugar snap peas, sliced (about 1 1/4 cups)
4 ounces ricotta salata, crumbled (about 1 cup)
½ bunch mint leaves, torn (about 1/3 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
Pinch kosher salt, more to taste
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a large bowl, toss together the radishes, peas, ricotta and mint.

Using a knife or a mortar and pestle, make a paste of the garlic and salt. Place in a small bowl, and add the lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. Stir well to combine. Drizzle in the olive oil, stirring constantly, and add pepper to taste.

Pour dressing over salad, and toss well to combine. Taste, and add more salt and pepper if necessary.