Family mealtime can be a chaotic point in the day. Parents with younger children may be pleased to know that Hunger in Moose Jaw is once again launching its Junior Chef program, where children aged nine to 12 can learn a few culinary skills enabling them to help in the kitchen.
The program takes place after school and is provided free of cost. During the classes, each kitchen will typically have two children working closely with the program instructor. Enrolled children meet over four consecutive weeks before the course concludes.
One highlight of the program is the free meal that participants get to prepare during each class.
“Each child gets to make a meal that they will take home to their families. Typically, the class would run between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., so they would make supper and be able to take it home to feed their families,” explained Sharla Sept, the executive director of Hunger in Moose Jaw.
During the course, children learn many basic food preparation skills, safe food handling advice, nutritional basics, and the program seeks to develop an all-round culinary skillset.
“That is our main goal — to provide the skills and to make sure that kids are comfortable (in the kitchen). It teaches good nutritional practices,” said Sept.
“Our best feedback has been that parents have told us their kids learn skills and now they… help out with family dinners, which is always kind of a chaotic time.” Sept also pointed out that the program helps build stronger family relationships.
There is no date quoted for the upcoming courses. This is because class times will depend on the availability of Janet, who instructs the course.
“Our Junior Chef co-ordinator actually works Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays offering the program. If people are interested in that program, they can email her directly and she can slot them into a time.”
Hunger in Moose Jaw is asking anyone who has taken the course previously to hold off on registering for the upcoming classes. This gesture will allow the organization to expand the program’s reach and allow more children an opportunity to participate.
As it stands, Hunger in Moose Jaw runs an adult program where individuals over the age of 18 help run a community kitchen program, however there is no current program for the 12 – 18 age group.
“It (a program for ages 12 – 18) has been in the works before, and we’ve (hosted it previously) with good success. We’re going to look at implementing something maybe closer to September,” she said. “We’re just trying to figure out how we’re going to do that and the logistics around that.”
In the meantime, the Junior Chef program is now accepting applicants and courses are set to begin in February.
“It’s an opportunity for kids to learn, and it’s a good free program. Janet is an amazing instructor, so the kids will really benefit from it,” Sept concluded.
To register for the Junior Chef program, Janet can be reached at [email protected].
Courses will take place at Hunger in Moose Jaw’s main office, located at 269 Stadacona Street West. To reach Hunger in Moose Jaw, the number is 306-692-1916.
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