The last week of cooking class is always a celebration and a party, and Bayard Taylor’s chefs were certainly in a party mood.

They were just bubbling with excitement when they walked through the door to make a special meal for their families, friends and other guests.

One student — Liam Ortiz Espiritu — even came back to school from a doctor’s appointment just so he could take part!

The menu chosen for the meal featured special Turkey and Mushroom Tacos and Cheesy Cheddar Cornbread for dessert. The class had LOVED the tacos in Week 4 and decided that they liked the cornbread better than the suggested Jelly Donut Muffins for dessert.

While fun was in the air, the young chefs learned something new at the last class — that PLANNING a party takes work and thoughtfulness.

First, they had to work through the math to double the recipes for both the tacos and the cornbread. Then they learned that you had to work quickly to get a meal ready when guests are arriving at a specific time. And most important, they had to be reminded that you have to put the fun and games on hold to assemble the meal and get it in the oven on time.

In the end, everything worked out, and both students and families got to join in the celebration.

Every student had guests, including parents, siblings, friends and other relatives.

As hosts, the students enthusiastically prepared plates of food for their families, served them politely like professional waiters and thanked their guests for coming. Then they sat down to enjoy the meal with their guests like a big happy family.

There was lots of happiness at the end, when each student was called up for recognition in a “graduation” ceremony.

Mr. Peter told something special about each “graduate,” and Ms. Linda awarded certificates featuring their names written out in fancy “calligraphy” script.

Each student also got a recipe book of all the meals the class made — and a souvenir booklet telling the story of the class in photos and pictures.

And as a bonus, Ms. Linda brought gifts of reading books the students had talked about and let the kids choose ones to take home.

No one could have been prouder when our young chefs gathered on stage to show off their graduation certificates and pose for pictures.

The students got to celebrate the skills they had gained, families got to celebrate their students’ achievements and everyone got to celebrate how food brings people together.