Patricia's Cooking Classes for Children

A little bit about me and why I started cooking classes for children.

A little bit about Patricia:

I am just a regular mom who couldn't find affordable inclusive cooking classes for my medically complex kids, this is why it’s very important for these classes to be all inclusive.  I will try my absolute best to accommodate all children.  

​

If you can't find it, make it...so that's what I did. 

​

I am in no way a Professional Chef or Professional Teacher.  I am just trying my best to help fill a gap I found.  I figured since I’m home with my kids full time and they really want to be in cooking classes, that I can find some time to take on a new venture. 

I am renting a kitchen at the Heritage Centre Association and Pilot Butte Recreation Centre teaching kids ages 3-18 years old how to independently cook and clean.  I have recently started weekly online cooking classes as well.

Cooking is such a huge part of life and if you haven’t learned how to cook different meals it makes life just a little bit harder, a little bit unhealthier and a little bit harder to enjoy doing.  I was one of those kids and grew up to be one of those young adults who stuck to fast food, itchiban, KD, and pizza pops...anything cheap and easy.  I did end up teaching myself how to cook but I definitely don’t find it as enjoyable as I could.

I want to provide children with knowledge, skills, and confidence in the kitchen that will serve them throughout their life so they can make healthy choices and have more options then just cheap and easy.   

So far I teach all of the classes independently but in the future will have people willing to help and work behind the scenes.  It is very important for me to keep the cost as low as I possibly can so anyone who wants to can take part.    

​

A little bit about my kids.                                                                                                                                   

A couple of people you will meet at every class are my children Josh and Anna.  Just so everyone is aware Josh and Anna are homeschooled so when they are with me at the classes they aren’t missing school.  We have decided in order to do these classes we do extra school work every day including the weekends and holidays in order for them to help me with classes.  As a bonus they are learning and getting life experience by helping.   For the most part they are there every day I am so if you see them feel free to say hi.  Josh and Anna have the title of Assistant Chef because they help me with almost every aspect of the classes.  They help me decide on menus, help with the grocery shopping, they help me find safety information online, they help me find important information to teach, they cook the recipes in advance so we know what to look forward to with timing and difficultly, they help the younger kids if they need it, sometimes they greet the families, and they also take part in the classes. 

Josh has a few extra responsibilities that you may notice at class: he helps hand out name tags, helps put the paperwork where it belongs, he’s also in charge of music and is our photographer. 

Anna’s extra responsibility is making sure no one feels left out.  If we have odd number’s in our class or if there is a child that is shy and unsure Anna jumps in to help make them feel comfortable and not alone.

​

Both Josh and Anna have complex medical issues.  I’m not going to share much about it on here because it’s their private and personal information, but  I have been given permission from Josh and Anna to say that they both have some disabilities and mental delays so even though they look like teenagers mentally they are younger. 

When you come to class and notice Josh struggles to make eye contact or has difficulty speaking to you please don’t take offence or judge him, this is something he really struggles with and he’s not trying to be rude.  The fact that he’s trying is a HUGE accomplishment for him.  Sometimes you will notice Josh using a chair or walker in the kitchen, it is because he’s experiencing a lot of pain and swelling in his legs and sometimes needs to sit down to rest.  Anna is a very friendly very outgoing person but she does act and talk like a younger child. 

Like every parent says about their own kids, Josh and Anna are amazing people.  They both have extremely wonderful and unique personalities and they are excited to meet you and most importantly your kids.  Even though almost everything about running cooking classes is a struggle for them they are excited and are willing to push pass their struggles to have this experience.  All I ask from the parents and the other children is that you show them understanding, patience and respect and treat them like normal kids.

​

This is us and why I have decided to volunteer my time to teach your children how to cook.  When it comes right down to it,  it feels really good knowing I am teaching a life long skill.  We enjoy meeting all of the amazing parents and children in the classes.   If you would like to know more about me, my kids, and the classes feel free to contact me and we can have a discussion.  If you have any suggestions or advice I am more then willing to listen.