Cooking at St Joe's

It's been an amazing week here at Free Arts as we've started our "Culinary Academy for Kids" program with our longest-standing partner agency, St Joseph's Home for Children. For 3 weeks, teens in the Theresa Hall unit at St Joe's will be cooking with chefs Laura Bonicelli and Susan Powers. We are so grateful for the generous donation of Laura and Susan's time and skills and to the B&H Way Foundation for making the program possible. We are also thankful to volunteers Katie Aquado and Andy Santamaria for helping with the program.

Esther and I have loved every minute spent in the kitchen so far! The first night, we made an ambitious "breakfast for dinner" menu of personalized french omelettes, crepes, granola and a dutch baby. Laura had every kid attempt to flip their own crepe and used opportune moments to teach about quality ingredients and technique. The food was truly delicious and the kids were elated! I have never seen the kids at St Joe's so completely engaged and enthralled in an activity. They absolutely loved it!

Susan kept the kid's attention on the second night by having them make cheesy bread sticks, two soups and brownies from scratch. The kids really responded to the way that Susan engaged them in absolutely every step in the process. If the brownie batter needed to be stirred, everyone had a hand in it. Susan did an excellent job of teaching the kids basic techniques, like how to cut an onion and why to add only one egg at a time. The kids were thoroughly open-minded and delighted to try new ingredients and preparations. 

Though the cooking program is a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn the art and science of cooking and walk away with real life skills to promote self-sufficiency, it also provides the youth with a sense of nurturing. Afterall, where in our lives is there more a sense of family, joy and wholesomeness than in the kitchen? As the utensils, dishes and towels filled the counters, the ingredients filled the fridge and the smells filled the hallway, St Joe's began to feel less like an institution and more like a home. I hope, if anything, the kids will walk away each night feeling nourished AND nurtured. I know I do.

Happily, from the kitchen, 

Hannah Meacock Ross
Program Coordinator