MOOSE JAW — Family mealtime can often be a hectic part of the day, but help is on the way for parents with budding young chefs thanks to the Junior Chef program offered by Hunger in Moose Jaw.
The free to attend after-school program is offered at the Hunger in Moose Jaw office for children aged nine to 12 and will run across four consecutive weeks from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a pending February start date.
Registration is now open and the program is intended to help children develop a basic understanding of culinary skills under the supervision of an experienced cooking instructor. A few of the culinary skills each participant will learn includes essential cooking techniques, food preparation and safety, how to properly clean up, and even knife handling tips to allow children to be more confident — and helpful — in the kitchen.
Part of the instruction also touches on educating young participants about healthy nutrition goals and demonstrates how to create a nutritious, balanced diet.
“Our Junior Chef program is a four-week program conducted here at the Hunger in Moose Jaw office…,” announced Sharla Sept, executive director of Hunger in Moose Jaw.
“(Participants) will learn to cook a meal and they get to take that home for supper, so it kind of lands at the perfect time,” she added, noting that parents also benefit from a free dinner afterwards.
The program will be instructed by Janet, a Hunger in Moose Jaw employee who co-ordinates the Junior Chef program. During the course, Janet will work one-on-one with each participant and she’ll set out a recipe and all necessary supplies ahead of time so the group can focus on cooking.
In previous Junior Chef intakes, two participants have typically attended each session to ensure there’s enough space to work and that each guest receives ample supervision.
As Janet is only available to run the program at certain times throughout the week, prospective guests are asked to email her in advance to book a time for their child.
The Junior Chef program provides a unique opportunity for children and is complemented by the Online Community Kitchen program at the venue. While the Junior Chef program focuses on aspiring young cooks, the Community Kitchen program is designed for families and older adults, offering them a chance to learn together and explore practical cooking skills. The latest Online Community Kitchen class was held on Jan. 23, and details about the next available adult-oriented counterpart in February will be shared as it becomes available.
“It’s just a great opportunity,” Sept noted about the Junior Chef program in her closing remarks. “It’s a free program so you can’t knock that, and it’s just an opportunity to learn new skills.”
To register for the Junior Chef program contact Janet at [email protected].
Courses will take place at Hunger in Moose Jaw’s main office located at 269 Stadacona Street West. To learn more about Hunger in Moose Jaw call 306-692-1916 or visit HungerInMooseJaw.org or ‘Hunger in Moose Jaw’ on Facebook.