Anthony Gonzalez, left, makes dough under the instruction of CAC Culinary Professor Gabe Gardner. Photo by Michelle Chance

The flour-covered hands of 20-year-old Anthony Gonzalez kneaded dough inside a kitchen classroom at a local community college Thursday night.[quote_box_right]”The real hope is that they will stay in Pinal County and make better places for us to go out to dinner.” – Gabe Gardner[/quote_box_right]

He’s one of many students in the Culinary Arts Program at Central Arizona College campus in Maricopa baking pies from scratch for the community.

The Culinary Arts Thanksgiving Pie Sale is taking orders for apple, pecan and pumpkin pies through Nov. 13 at noon. Each pie is $8. A cream cheese-filled pumpkin roll for $10 and a dozen homemade soft dinner rolls can also be purchased for $5.

The sale benefits the students in the culinary program, said CAC Chef and Professor Gabe Gardner.

Proceeds raised will go toward the purchase of a Sous Vide machine, which will enable culinary students to cook red meat to precise temperatures. Gardner said it will also give them real-world experience with modern equipment.

“All the high-end restaurants are using them,” Gardner said. “So, the goal of all of this, as ever, is to create an environment that the students will see once they leave here, and the real hope is that they will stay in Pinal County and make better places for us to go out to dinner.”

To place a pie order, email [email protected]. Payment is cash only. Pie-pickup will take place the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon in Building C, Room C102, at the CAC Maricopa Campus located at 17945 Regent Drive.