Taher staff build 40' yule log for dessert at elementary school

It has to be one of the longest yule logs ever built for a school lunch. Chef CindyAnn Lambright, Taher food service director at Norwood Young America, regional Taher Chef Shari Jarett and Taher food service director at K-M, Kathy Hamlin, were in charge of the project. Actually Hamlin credits the two guest chefs for doing most of the work on this project.

The log was baked at the high school and then brought to the elementary and assembled on four 10' long tables. Including the branches, the yule log was actually 58'.

As she was putting the final decorating touches. on the yule log, Shari said it's important to incorporate eggs and egg whites. That makes the cake spongy and easier to roll.

The special dessert was expected to feed 900 provided students and staff were given half inch slices. The slices were much closer to an inch thick and there was still plenty left over. At an average of 540 calories per one inch slice that's 371,200 calories worth of yule log.

"They put a lot of work into this project," said Hamlin. "It was a fun project to do for the holidays."

As the first wave of students arrived for lunch their eyes grew bigger when they saw the four tables together with the yule log stretching the full length. One of the first fourth graders arrive­ing even gave chef CindyAnn a hug. They were all smiles and in
fact some of them started to line up for the yule log before going in the lunch line. They were redirected and instructed to get their special dessert after eating the turkey and mashed potatoes lunch.

 

 

 

 

Chef CindyAnn Lambright, Norwood Young America

Chef Sheri Jerret

Food Service Director Kathy Hamlin, K-M Elementary