Moses Lake teacher wins Golden Apple

Culinary arts a passion

MOSES LAKE — Susan Moberg turns kids into cooks.

The Moses Lake High School ProStart instructor transformed the school's culinary arts kitchen into a place where students learn to make food good enough for competition.

For her success in the school district, Moberg was among eight individuals in the state to win a KCTS Golden Apple award. She is going to be honored during a ceremony in January.

Moberg introduced the ProStart program to Moses Lake High School four years ago. The program is through the National Restaurant Association. It includes a 400-hour internship and opportunities to compete in food service. Two years ago, students won the state competition and went on to compete in nationals.

Senior Hillary Lublin, 17, can speak toward Moberg's impact on students. Before Lublin took the ProStart class, she was considering a career in cosmetology. A fellow student recommended the class to her. Now, she and her friend plan to open a restaurant together.

"She's one of my heroes," Lublin said of Moberg. Lublin said Moberg travels out of town to get food for students to cook and spends time planning competitions and field trips, all activities she doesn't need to do.

Moberg said the other teachers work just as hard as her, so the award is humbling.

"They all put the time in that I do," she said.

A former student nominated her for the award. The successful student, who was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America in New York, is nothing like when he first came to class, sporting an earring and pink hair.

Moberg said he showed up for a culinary competition the winter after class started.

"He just got inspired," she said.

Moberg said her biggest inspiration is her daughter, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and sparked her interest in culinary arts.

Students join the class because they want to eat food, and then they find they want to make food service a career, she said.

Vocational Director Christine Armstrong said no school in Eastern Washington ever competed in the ProStart Culinary Cup before Moberg introduced it to Moses Lake High School.

"She does a great job, she works way too hard, and she really motivates students to love what she's teaching," Armstrong said.