Pressure Cooker, the documentary

Pressure Cooker documents three Philadelphia inner-city culinary students and their teacher who drives them, empowers them to make changes in their lives. It is about a competition called C- CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program) that awards scholarships for the underprivileged students in Arizona, Chicago, Hampton Road- Virginia, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington DC. The amounts of the scholarships are amazing, upwards to $80,000 – full scholarships to culinary schools. Watch the movie trailer below.

 

I saw the documentary movie, Pressure Cooker, this past week on it's 2^nd day of release  in New York City at the IFC Theater. I tripped over the movie information on Facebook and the timing was perfect for my trip. I took my sister, who heads up the Desert Film Society and a foodie friend, a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu – so there were all levels of appreciation for the quality of the production and the content.

 

 

The documentary covers from day one in the culinary class of Wilma Stephenson to the final scenes of culinary competition and awards ceremony. Wilma is no pushover; she works her students hard, knowing the reward at the end. There are no school holidays; the students are expected to be at school practicing for competition. Stephenson’s goal is to get them out of their situations; broken homes, drug addict parents, parents who just don’t give a damn and offer them an opportunity to improve their lives. Stephenson's students, under her guidance, have won well over 3 million dollars in scholarships over the past 10 years. 

 

 

The documentary focuses on three students, each with their own set of problems and how this teacher gives them the inspiration to move forward. The young African immigrant, Fatoumata, was so compelling. She came to this country four years ago not speaking the language and has become a top student. She tells the story of how in Africa there are no school lunches or transportation. She would walk to school and home during mid-day break for food and back to school which was close to 20 miles total. America is a dream for her, a dream we take for granted. 

 

I was moved to tears, laughed and was inspired to make more people aware of this film, the children and the teacher. I was so busy talking about the movie to a friend, who is employed by the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation; I left my new Flip video on the counter at a Jersey Turnpike rest stop. I hadn’t heard of C-CAP and was wondering why we couldn’t get it for Maryland students. Philadelphia and Washington DC are participating C-CAP cities.

  

Many of you already know I am a strong supporter of the ProStart high school culinary program and mentor the culinary team for the Carver Center (we took 2^nd place at state level). Their teacher, Bette Mullins, was just awarded the “Teacher-of-the-Year” by the National Restaurant Association. I am so proud of Bette, her teaching methods a far cry from Wilma Stephenson although what is common between the two is a strong committment and passion for their students.

 

Click HERE to find out where you can view the movie Pressure Cooker. Locally it will be viewed in Washington D. C. I am hoping we can get a viewing in Baltimore. If you are on Facebook join their fan page..just type in search, Pressure Cooker.

 

Friday, July 17, 2009  & Saturday, July 18, 2009

Landmark Theatre's E Street Cinema Street:

555 11th St NW

Washington, DC