"Opportunities to develop cooking skills by adolescents may result in long-term benefits for nutritional well-being," “Families, health and nutrition professionals, educators, community agencies, and funders can continue to invest in home economics and cooking education knowing that the benefits may not be fully realized until young adults develop more autonomy and live independently."

Oldham County 4-H Chef School is back after a two year pause due to COVID regulations. Sharing the love and knowledge of cooking is a vital life skill embraced in our community. The spring session focused on beginner skills of recipe reading, kitchen safety, food safety, proper measuring, utensil uses, types of flour and baking skills. During the four-week session, the sixteen participants prepared recipes and participated in informational discussions mastering food techniques. Lessons were presented by the 4-H and FCS Agent, Program Assistant and NEP Assistant, 4-H teen leaders served as group leaders during recipe preparation. 

 Surveys indicated youth learned to: use a knife properly, measure ingredients, crack an egg, prevent tunneling in baked goods, practice food safety, and kitchen safety procedures. Participants shared they have used the following skills: measuring ingredients, sifting flour, cracking an egg, tucking fingers when using a knife, cleaning surfaces after handling eggs and meats, and following recipes step by step. Participant identified skills and recipes for the next session scheduled in July. 

Jennifer Utter, Nicole Larson, Melissa N. Laska, Megan Winkler, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer. Self-Perceived Cooking Skills in Emerging Adulthood Predict Better Dietary Behaviors and Intake 10 Years Later: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2018; DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2018.01.021