By John Darling

Program is a reward for meeting their academic goals

ASHLAND — A pair of seventh-graders — both with dreams of becoming professional chefs — got their first big chance Thursday over the hot stoves of Tease Restaurant as a reward for meeting an academic goal.

Decked out in chef coats and a little awed in their surroundings, Harley Coplin and Elizabeth Hearn helped make the spinach-almond-cream stuffing for Butternut Squash Eggrolls, which were to be served up to regular customers that evening.

The pair earned the honor by being "Zero Heroes," meaning they finished all their homework at Ashland Middle School's Academic Support Center.

"I'm psyched," said Coplin. "This is one of my dreams. I love cooking, especially making cakes. That's what I want to be, a pastry chef."

"It's a very new experience, so interesting," said Hearn. "It gives me a better experience of what it'll be like when I'm older and can be a chef."

Tease chef and owner Marc Rosewood pronounced their work top notch.Read the rest...