North York Cooking Classes a Big Hit for Participants

The Classes Focused On Learning About Food Preparation, Safety In The Kitchen And Making Healthy Food Choices Based On The Canada Food Guide.

• Each week participants were engaged in all steps of preparing a meal and cleaning up.
• The menu is created with input from the participants.
• Each week there is a discussion of options for a menu for the following week.
• Once three options are made, participants vote on the options and the menu with the most votes is what will be prepared the following week.
• During the fall session, a vote resulted in a tie between two choices and the participants were more than happy with the solution of preparing the two choices over the following two weeks.
• During the six weeks, participants prepared items such as pasta and meat sauce, garlic bread and Caesar salad, make your own personal pizza, macaroni and cheese, beef and fish tacos, and garden salads.
• For the final week, participants invited family and friends for dinner.
• The menu included a pasta and meat skillet entre, similar to a hamburger helper dish, a meat pie with Greek salad and yogurt parfaits for dessert.
• As an extra treat, there was also a cake made ahead of time and the recipe shared with the participants.
• Both the meat pie and hamburger helper style entrées were made from the same basic recipe which can also be used to make Sheppard’s pie or sloppy Joes.
• Guests truly enjoyed the evening requesting copies of the recipes used.
• Participants of the class are often individuals who are looking to develop independent cooking skills.
• Others have some skills already but want to learn more about making healthy eating choices.
• Many have goals of living in a supported independent living situation.
• All participants of the class have identified on their application that they have an opportunity to use the skills learned in class at home with support from family or support workers.
• This extra practice time is crucial for skill development and retention of skills learned in class.
• Cooking classes run in sessions, spring, summer and fall. If you are interested in the next sessions, please watch for information in upcoming newsletters in the events section for details.