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Food Bank x 4lifeskills Cooking Program
The flavour of knowledge
Bradley, Brandon, Dominic, Elisha, Fernando, Jamilla, Luke, Mitchell, Paige, and Sean eagerly embarked on a four-week course curated by the Food Bank, fueled by their insatiable appetite for knowledge about healthy eating and meal preparation!
In the heart of our Spearwood community, an extraordinary journey is unfolding — one that blends culinary mastery with newfound wisdom. Ten hungry participants, Bradley, Brandon, Dominic, Elisha, Fernando, Jamilla, Luke, Mitchell, Paige, and Sean, have embarked on a culinary adventure like no other. 4lifeskills and Food Bank have joined forces, allowing participants to develop their cooking skills and cultivate a strong bond with the realm of healthy eating!
This four-week nutrition education and cooking program is designed for people with disabilities and their support workers. It aims to promote healthier lives and empower informed choices. Each session unveils a wealth of knowledge, highlighting health-conscious decisions and delicious culinary creations.
The journey began with a deep dive into the world of nutrition. Participants learned how to choose healthy foods and discovered the right amount and types of foods to support their health and wellbeing. They eagerly explored the building blocks of a balanced diet, with fruits and vegetables offering fiber for healthy bowels, meat providing protein for strong muscles, and dairy supplying calcium for bones and teeth.
With newfound nutritional wisdom in their toolbox, our participants ventured into the kitchen. The focus was on practical skills, from safe knife handling to food preparation, cooking techniques, and maintaining a clean and organised cooking space. These vital skills equipped our culinary explorers with confidence in the kitchen.
As the weeks rolled on, our participants were ready to apply their knowledge and skills to whip up a range of delectable and healthy dishes. They discovered the joy of creating meals that were not only nutritious but also bursting with flavor. The taught recipes were incredibly easy and straightforward, inspiring everyone to recreate them at the office or at home. We were also happy to see how engaged everyone was with the meal preparation!
In the final week of the program, the culinary adventure reached its peak. The participants donned their aprons and worked together to create a tantalising menu that included fritters, pavlova, gnocchi, and Shepherd’s pie. They also explored the sugar content in everyday drinks like coke, orange juice, and energy drinks, making informed choices about which beverages were better for their health.
One valuable lesson learned was that chocolate milk, with its high calcium and lower sugar content, was a better alternative to coke. This newfound understanding empowered our participants to make healthier beverage choices in their daily lives.
A Resounding Success
Throughout the program, our participants engaged enthusiastically, forging connections with fellow culinary enthusiasts and soaking in every bit of knowledge and skill. The recipes they received each week will continue to inspire them in their kitchens at home and at work.
As we wrap up this remarkable culinary journey, we celebrate the growth, empowerment, and joy that each participant has experienced. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Food Bank for their partnership in this endeavor, as well as to our dedicated support workers for their unwavering commitment and encouragement.
In the end, it’s not just about the delicious meals prepared but the profound transformation in how our participants view food, nutrition, and their own culinary abilities. This program has truly ignited a passion for healthy cooking and living within our Spearwood community.
As we bid farewell to this culinary adventure, we look forward to more opportunities to empower, educate, and inspire. Together, we’ll continue to savour the flavours of success!
