The holidays are upon us and our culinary students at Wylie High School are sharing recipes for their favorite desserts and sides. Each week in December, a new guest student chef will be highlighted. Happy holidays & Bon Appetit!
Tres Leches Cake by Nykolas Jaimes
Q&A With Our Student Chef
Started culinary arts classes: 2022
Recipe link: tastesbetterfromscratch.com/tres-leches-cake
Why did you select the recipe you prepared?
My Tres Leches cake is my most requested recipe. I’ve made it for several special occasions, including birthdays, and family get togethers. The compliments I received from baking this cake really gave me the confidence to continue to pursue baking not only as a hobby.
Tell me a little bit about your interest in cooking.
My interest in baking started in 2020 when I wanted to try and make macarons. From there I started baking homemade chocolate chip cookies, chocolate croissants, and cakes. I experimented with different ingredients like specialty vanillas and chocolate. Last year, I became interested in trying to make my own sourdough and focaccia, which is an Italian bread made with high quality olive oil and fresh herbs. With the holidays approaching, I’m currently baking mostly banana bread and pumpkin bread.
What have you learned from being in culinary classes?
I have rapidly excelled in both of my culinary classes, learning a variety of new skills from food prep and food safety, to overseeing the kitchen as head chef. I have had the honor of having excellent culinary instructors to guide me on my way to success. So much so, I am now intrigued in seeking a future within the culinary field.
Fun Fact: Jaimes’ Tres Leches cake was served at the Wylie Bulldogs Education Foundation annual dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 14. He, along with the assistance of culinary art classes, prepared the dessert for 400 guests at the event.
By Kristen Johnson