28 Nov Empower Simcoe Announces Second Offering of ‘Cooking Up Capability’ Course – Registration Now Open!

Following the resounding success of its inaugural run, Empower Simcoe is excited to announce the return of its highly sought-after culinary course, ‘Cooking Up Capability.’ With overwhelming demand and glowing reviews from participants, the second offering of this empowering program is offered in Barrie and Orillia and set to commence in January, 2024.

Cooking Up Capability is a Fee For Service offering designed to empower individuals with the skills and confidence to become more independent in the kitchen. This inclusive and adaptive course provides a supportive environment where participants can develop essential culinary skills and gain a sense of accomplishment.

Course Title: Cooking Up Capability

Course Details: The course will run for 8 weeks, 7 weeks of learning new recipes and then a Skill Showcase Luncheon on the last meeting. Each week participants receive recipes in two forms; one typed recipe, and one adaptive recipe for individuals who might not have strong reading skills. Participants will learn recipes that have no heat, and recipes that utilize a microwave and toaster. Recipes will include snacks, meals, and desserts. Participants will learn how to read a recipe, execute the recipe, and kitchen safety. During one of the classes there will be a guest speaker who teaches at Georgian College.

Barrie Course:

• Dates: Every Thursday morning from January 11th to February 29th, 2024
• Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
• Location: Grace United Church, Barrie

Orillia Course:

• Dates: Every Monday morning from January 22nd to March 11th, 2024
• Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
• Location: St James Church, Orillia

Participants will engage in hands-on learning experiences and cover a range of topics, including:

• Kitchen Safety: Learn essential safety practices to create a secure cooking environment.
• Following Recipes: Master the art of following recipes to create delicious meals.
• Basic Knife Skills: Develop the foundational skills needed for safe and efficient knife handling.
• Meal Preparation: Discover how to plan and prepare a variety of meals.
• Building Confidence: Boost your confidence in the kitchen, allowing you to explore new recipes and techniques.
• Clean-Up: Learn efficient and effective cleaning methods to maintain a tidy kitchen.

Skill Showcase Luncheon: The last time that we meet as a group, the participants will have an opportunity to showcase their skills to two family members or friends. During this luncheon, participants will be cooking the meal and then have an opportunity to show their guests what they have learned throughout the program. Each participant who has finished the program will receive a Program Completion Gift which is a T-Shirt with the logo on it.

Opportunity to Learn More: Once participants have completed the first level of Cooking Up Capability, they will be invited back to continue their education. We will be offering more courses where participants will learn to use the stove top, oven, and cook slightly more complex recipes. We also plan to offer a course where participants will learn to cook different food from around the world and have an opportunity to learn about different cultures.

Instructor Details:

• Two Community Participation Support Workers with culinary experience.
• A culinary teacher will be a guest speaker in Week #3.

Course Benefits:

Upon completion of the “Cooking Up Capability” class, participants will receive:

• An exclusive course completion t-shirt.
• An opportunity to showcase your newfound culinary skills.
• Build meaningful relationships with fellow learners.

Support and Learning Environment:

Our dedicated and trained staff will provide a supportive learning experience with a low student-to-staff ratio of 3:1 and small class sizes. This ensures that each participant receives personalized attention and guidance throughout the course.

Join Empower Simcoe on this culinary adventure, where individuals can gain independence and confidence in the kitchen while fostering a sense of accomplishment and skill development.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact feeforservice@empowersimcoe.ca

About Empower Simcoe:

Empower Simcoe is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives and actively engage in their communities. Through various programs and services, Empower Simcoe advocates for inclusion, independence, and personal growth. For more details, visit www.empowersimcoe.ca.