Let Me in the Kitchen is an upcoming series of four cooking classes for kids through the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, and recreation co-ordinator Suzanne Cochrane said that registration has begun and excitement is building.
She explained that Save on Foods is generously sponsoring the after-school program by providing the food, cutting registration costs in half.
“Store manager Mark Law was so great about the classes,” she said.
“Because of this, more kids will get to enjoy real, hands-on cooking where they get to make their own after-school snack and their own dinner.
“My son Garrett took the individual classes last year when he was eight years old and loved it — he was so proud of the food he cooked.”
Garrett always brought his culinary creations home to show his family, according to his mom.
“He made things like a mini-meatloaf and ‘kitty’ rice cakes with banana eyes, carrot ears and whiskers made from coconut,” she added.
The classes can take up to 12 kids ages 8-12, and will be taught by Cindy Nadeau, who has worked 25 years in the food industry.
She has been a camp cook, a restaurant owner, has taught Food Safe at Thompson Rivers University for 10 years, and offered the individual Let Me in the Kitchen classes last year.
“It’s so fun doing this with kids, and I’m excited that it’s a few sessions this time instead of just one class,” she said, adding they’ll cover things like food groups, kitchen and food safety, reading a recipe, personal hygiene and measuring ingredients.
“When you have kids in a kitchen you’re teaching them life skills,” she continued.
“They learn to be organized, work as a team and participate in something fun and creative.”
Cochrane noted that Let Me in the Kitchen is a great way to introduce your kids to new foods.
“When your kids cook it, they’ll eat it,” she said.
She said that the new Active Living Guide, out this week, lists their highest number of programs to date.
“We have Lego robotics, computer animation, video game design, sewing for kids, cupcake design, lots of yoga, superhero training camp for preschoolers, science programs and more.”
The new Active Living Guide is available at the CMRC, as well as www.activewilliamslake.com where you can get more information about Let Me in the Kitchen and register online.