Cooking for 30 people: 'Sir, may I?'

The organization of the annual school trip at Da Vinci College is in the experienced hands of science teacher Cedric Sanches. 200 students, 8 ships, 4 days: that's a lot of meals. How is that managed? Cedric and his students Koen and Ben talk about their cooking adventures in the ship's galley.

18 June 2024

Perfectly prepared

Cedric has a well-functioning script that he can pull off the shelf every year. "I have a shopping list and a group division per ship," he explains. "I order all the groceries online, and the day before departure we have a van full of provisions for the entire waterwork week. We divide the items into non-perishable and fresh, and then we make crates for each ship. After each trip, we evaluate. Was there too much peanut butter left over and did the sprinkles run out too fast? Then we adjust that for next year."

And then: the students

In the harbor, it's the students' turn to get to work. They bring the crates on board and are assigned a cooking schedule. A different group takes care of breakfast, lunch, or dinner each time. "They always find it great fun," says Cedric. "All around me I hear: sir, may I?" Koen and Ben confirm this. "It's super fun to do it together with your friends. And very special, being on a boat. You don't experience that every day."

'Cooking is super fun to do together with your friends. And very special, being on a boat.'
- Koen and Ben, students at Da Vinci College

What's for dinner today?

Cedric has selected recipes in advance that the students can work with. "I always choose elaborate meals, so they're busy and can learn something from it." Cedric and his colleague are present in the galley to give instructions, as most students have little experience. The teachers also take care of meals for students with dietary restrictions or allergies. "The students set the tables, clear up, do the dishes: it's all no problem. They just find it fun."

How was the school trip on the water?

Koen and Ben agree: that one game night was the best. It was the night when all eight ships were docked next to each other in the same harbor. Each ship had something different going on, and the students went from ship to ship. Cedric says, "Going through the lock, sailing, mudflat hiking: it's all new and exciting. But it's also about enjoying being together, doing fun new things, staying up late, chatting, snacking, being let loose in a little town. Being less occupied with their phones, but really having fun together."

'It's about enjoying doing fun, new things together. Less with their phones, more truly together.'
-Cedric Sanches, science teacher, Da Vinci College