The Hauppauge High School German Club recently traded the classroom for the kitchen during an exciting and flavorful field trip to Schnitzels, an authentic German restaurant in Stony Brook. The visit offered students a unique opportunity to experience German culture firsthand—through both language and cuisine.
Upon arrival, students were welcomed into the cozy, traditional atmosphere of the restaurant, complete with rustic décor and German-themed artwork. The highlight of the trip was a hands-on pretzel-making lesson led by the restaurant staff. Students learned about the history of the iconic Brezel and were guided step-by-step through the process of shaping their own dough into the classic twisted form.
“Making pretzels was harder than it looks, but really fun,” said one German Club member. “It made me appreciate how much skill goes into traditional foods.”
After the lesson, students sat down together to enjoy a delicious lunch featuring authentic German dishes. From schnitzel to sausages and, of course, their freshly baked pretzels, the meal gave students a true taste of Germany. Many also practiced their German language skills by reading menu items and using simple phrases during the visit.
German Club advisor Ms. Cardi noted the importance of experiences like this. “It’s one thing to learn about culture in a classroom, but it becomes much more meaningful when students can see, taste, and participate in it,” she said. “This trip brought the language to life.”
The outing not only strengthened students’ understanding of German culture but also created lasting memories. With full stomachs and newly learned skills, the German Club returned to school already looking forward to their next cultural adventure.