New culinary school at the OC Fair & Event Center

Jose Alvarez, 17, a Western High School student, rubs his hands together in anticipation of starting the Hatch Culinary Lab progam at the OC Fair & Event Center on Feb. 28. The new culinary school is offering free culinary education and mentorship to underserved youth in Orange County.

Ryan Wagner, the head chef and director of Hatch Culinary Lab, shows students how to properly hold a knife during the first day of the spring session on Feb. 28.

Ivan Vasquez, 17, a student at Kennedy High School, puts on his chef jacket at the Hatch Culinary Lab at the OC Fair & Event Center on Feb. 28.

Kathy Kramer, the CEO of the OC Fair & Event Center, welcomes students to the new culinary school, the Hatch Culinary Lab, on Feb. 28. The new culinary school is offering free culinary education and mentorship to underserved youth in Orange County.

Students at the Hatch Culinary Lab practice knife skills on Feb. 28.

Ryan Wagner, the head chef and director of Hatch Culinary Lab, teaches students proper knife skills on Feb. 28.

Chef Ryan Wagner teaches students proper knife skills on Feb. 28.

Chef Ryan Wagner, shows Jenny Ramirez, 17, from Kennedy High School, how to cut a potato evenly. The new Hatch Culinary Lab offers its students free culinary education and mentorship.

Dakota Lopez, 16, from Kennedy High School, inspects his potato slices to make certain they are straight on Feb. 28 at the Hatch Culinary Lab.