Chef Mongoose Culinary Lesson Plans

Complete Chronological Index of Weekly Sessions
August 2025 - December 2025 (16 Weeks)

This comprehensive lesson plan series guides students through progressive culinary skill development, from foundation techniques to advanced multi-course presentation. Each week includes Sunday planning & shopping (2 hours), Monday cooking & execution (2 hours), and Monday evening meal service (1.5 hours) with food critic review.

📚 Current Status: Detailed lesson plans are available for Weeks 1-4 (Foundation Level). Additional lesson plans (Weeks 5-16) will be developed as the course progresses.

🗓️ Complete Weekly Lesson Schedule

AUGUST 2025 - Foundation Level (Simple techniques, basic presentation)

Week 0: August 5, 2025 - ORIENTATION

📋 Orientation Session (No Cooking - Class Kickoff Only)
Focus: Course overview, safety protocols, schedule review, expectations
Activities: Class introduction, kitchen setup, documentation requirements
Materials: Course calendar, safety protocols, budget tracking forms

Week 1: August 11-12, 2025

📋 Lesson 1: Kitchen Setup & Foundation Meal
Evening Meal: Classic Spaghetti with Marinara, Garden Salad & Garlic Bread (Serves 4)
Focus: Kitchen organization, safety protocols, basic cooking principles
15-Min Exercise: Pasta Shape Recognition & Cooking Times
Review Criteria: Safety protocols, basic taste, willingness to try new cooking

Week 2: August 18-19, 2025

📋 Lesson 2: Knife Skills & Stir-Fry
Evening Meal: Colorful Vegetable Stir-Fry with Jasmine Rice (Serves 4)
Focus: Knife technique application, vegetable preparation, timing coordination
15-Min Exercise: Knife Cut Relay with timer
Review Criteria: Knife cut consistency, vegetable texture, flavor balance

Week 3: August 25-26, 2025

📋 Lesson 3: Cooking Methods & Roasting
Evening Meal: Herb-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables (Serves 4)
Focus: Roasting technique, temperature control, seasoning application
15-Min Exercise: Temperature Testing Challenge
Review Criteria: Protein doneness, vegetable texture, seasoning accuracy

Week 4: August 28, 2025

📋 Lesson 4: Food Safety & Pan-Searing
Evening Meal: Pan-Seared Mahi-Mahi with Lemon Butter, Asparagus & Rice Pilaf (Serves 4)
Focus: Food safety application, temperature control, professional presentation
15-Min Exercise: Food Safety Relay
Review Criteria: Food safety evidence, confidence in preparation, taste improvement

SEPTEMBER 2025 - Building Complexity (Multiple components, improved plating)

Week 5: September 7-8, 2025

📋 Lesson 5: Recipe Analysis & Sauce Making (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon Butter Sauce, Wild Rice Pilaf & Steamed Broccoli (Serves 4)
Focus: Sauce making, multiple cooking methods, timing coordination
15-Min Exercise: Sauce Consistency Testing
Review Criteria: Sauce consistency, fish texture, component coordination

Week 6: September 14-15, 2025

📋 Lesson 6: Nutrition Science & Balanced Meals (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Grilled Chicken with Quinoa Tabbouleh & Rainbow Roasted Vegetables (Serves 4)
Focus: Nutritional analysis application, balanced composition, portion control
15-Min Exercise: Portion Control Practice
Review Criteria: Nutritional balance evidence, taste harmony, portion appropriateness

Week 7: September 21-22, 2025

📋 Lesson 7: Cultural Cuisine - Italian (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Italian Chicken Piccata with Garlic Parmesan Risotto & Italian Green Beans (Serves 4)
Focus: Cultural authenticity, new ingredient integration, presentation
15-Min Exercise: Italian Technique Practice
Review Criteria: Authenticity effort, new flavor integration, cultural presentation

Week 8: September 28-29, 2025

📋 Lesson 8: Baking Integration & Bread Making (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Dinner Rolls & Honey Glazed Carrots (Serves 4)
Focus: Baking timing with meal service, bread integration, complete experience
15-Min Exercise: Yeast Activation Test
Review Criteria: Bread quality, meal integration, overall dining experience

OCTOBER 2025 - Intermediate Level (Advanced techniques, restaurant-style presentation)

Week 9: October 5-6, 2025

📋 Lesson 9: Advanced Techniques & Multi-Course (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: THREE COURSES - Caprese Skewers, Beef Medallions with Red Wine Reduction, Chocolate Lava Cakes (Serves 4)
Focus: Multi-course timing, advanced plating, service sequence
15-Min Exercise: Multi-Course Timing Drill
Review Criteria: Course progression, advanced technique evidence, presentation quality

Week 10: October 12-13, 2025

📋 Lesson 10: Food Photography & Visual Design (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Rainbow Buddha Bowl with Tahini Drizzle & Herb Oil Design (Serves 4)
Focus: Visual presentation, color balance, Instagram-worthy plating
15-Min Exercise: Color Balance Challenge
Review Criteria: Visual impact, photography readiness, taste not compromised for looks

Week 11: October 19-20, 2025

📋 Lesson 11: Menu Development & Pairing (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: "Autumn Harvest" Complete Menu with Beverage Pairings (Serves 4)
Focus: Menu coherence, professional service, pairing knowledge
15-Min Exercise: Menu Pairing Practice
Review Criteria: Menu cohesion, professional service, pairing appropriateness

Week 12: October 26-27, 2025

📋 Lesson 12: Seasonal Cooking & Fall Harvest (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Fall Harvest Celebration Feast (Serves 4)
Focus: Seasonal ingredient showcase, traditional techniques, celebration atmosphere
15-Min Exercise: Seasonal Spice Blending
Review Criteria: Seasonal appropriateness, traditional technique mastery, celebration mood

NOVEMBER 2025 - Advanced Level (Complex preparations, professional service standards)

Week 13: November 2-3, 2025

📋 Lesson 13: Holiday Traditions & Large-Scale Cooking (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Traditional Holiday Feast - Herb-Roasted Turkey, Classic Sides & Cranberry Sauce (Serves 6)
Focus: Complex meal coordination, traditional techniques, large-scale service
15-Min Exercise: Traditional Technique Mastery
Review Criteria: Traditional authenticity, complex coordination, family service excellence

Week 14: November 9-10, 2025

📋 Lesson 14: Catering Skills & Volume Cooking (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Catering-Style Elegant Buffet - Multiple Proteins & Professional Presentation (Serves 8)
Focus: Volume cooking, consistent plating, professional presentation standards
15-Min Exercise: Consistency Challenge
Review Criteria: Consistency across portions, professional presentation, scalability evidence

Week 15: November 16-17, 2025

📋 Lesson 15: Portfolio Development & Signature Style (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: "Jackson's Signature" - Original Recipe Creation Showcasing Personal Style (Serves 4)
Focus: Personal style development, signature technique demonstration, creativity
15-Min Exercise: Style Development Workshop
Review Criteria: Personal style evidence, creativity, technical skill culmination

Week 16: November 23-24, 2025

📋 Lesson 16: Presentation Practice & Final Rehearsal (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Final Presentation Rehearsal - Complete Multi-Course Experience (Serves 6)
Focus: Final presentation preparation, complete experience orchestration, refinement
15-Min Exercise: Presentation Rehearsal
Review Criteria: Presentation readiness, complete experience quality, improvement evidence

DECEMBER 2025 - Showcase Level (Multi-course service, complete mastery demonstration)

Week 17: December 7-8, 2025

📋 Lesson 17: Final Preparation & Mastery Integration (Coming Soon)
Evening Meal: Complete Mastery Integration - "Chef Jackson's Winter Showcase" (Serves 6)
Focus: Skills integration, mastery demonstration, final preparation
15-Min Exercise: Complete Skill Integration
Review Criteria: Complete skill integration, mastery evidence, presentation readiness

Week 18: December 15, 2025

📋 Lesson 18: Final Presentation & Celebration (Coming Soon)
Evening Event: "A Culinary Journey" - Complete Semester Showcase with Invited Guests (Serves 8)
Focus: Complete program demonstration, family presentation, celebration
15-Min Exercise: Final Presentation Practice
Review Criteria: Complete program mastery, presentation excellence, celebration appropriateness

📋 Lesson Development Status

✅ Completed Lessons (Foundation Level)

Lesson 1: Kitchen Setup & Foundation Meal (August 11-12)
Lesson 2: Knife Skills & Stir-Fry (August 18-19)
Lesson 3: Cooking Methods & Roasting (August 25-26)
Lesson 4: Food Safety & Pan-Searing (August 28)

🔄 In Development (Building Complexity)

Lesson 5: Recipe Analysis & Sauce Making (September 7-8)
Lesson 6: Nutrition Science & Balanced Meals (September 14-15)
Lesson 7: Cultural Cuisine - Italian (September 21-22)
Lesson 8: Baking Integration & Bread Making (September 28-29)

📝 Planned Lessons (Intermediate Level)

Lesson 9: Advanced Techniques & Multi-Course (October 5-6)
Lesson 10: Food Photography & Visual Design (October 12-13)
Lesson 11: Menu Development & Pairing (October 19-20)
Lesson 12: Seasonal Cooking & Fall Harvest (October 26-27)

📝 Planned Lessons (Advanced Level)

Lesson 13: Holiday Traditions & Large-Scale Cooking (November 2-3)
Lesson 14: Catering Skills & Volume Cooking (November 9-10)
Lesson 15: Portfolio Development & Signature Style (November 16-17)
Lesson 16: Presentation Practice & Final Rehearsal (November 23-24)

📝 Planned Lessons (Showcase Level)

Lesson 17: Final Preparation & Mastery Integration (December 7-8)
Lesson 18: Final Presentation & Celebration (December 15)

🎯 Progressive Skill Development

Foundation Level (August)

Basic kitchen safety and organization
Fundamental knife skills and food prep
Simple cooking methods and temperature control
Food safety protocols and professional standards

Building Complexity (September)

Sauce making and multiple component coordination
Nutritional analysis and balanced meal planning
Cultural cuisine exploration and authenticity
Baking integration with meal service

Intermediate Level (October)

Advanced techniques and multi-course timing
Food photography and visual presentation
Menu development and beverage pairing
Seasonal cooking and traditional techniques

Advanced Level (November)

Large-scale meal coordination and traditional techniques
Volume cooking and professional presentation
Personal style development and signature techniques
Complete presentation preparation and rehearsal

Showcase Level (December)

Complete skill integration and mastery demonstration
Final presentation and celebration with invited guests

Each lesson includes detailed shopping lists, recipe quantities, timing coordination, safety protocols, and progressive skill development. All lessons are designed for 2-hour Sunday planning sessions and 2-hour Monday cooking sessions, with 1.5-hour Monday evening meal service.