Americans are used to a world of plenty with overwhelming options available.  However in the past few months and years we have found that is not necessarily the case.  Financial instability and supply chain issues may limit choices.  Our county and Pennyrile Area Homemakers are also feeling this pinch.  Many have cookware at home that they have bought or been handed down that they would like to learn more about its use and care.  Others need to replace old, damaged cookware and want reliable information that will help them make good choices.  With this in mind, the Lyon County and Trigg County Family and Consumer Sciences agents collaborated on a lesson they called Skillet Cooking that served as the June Homemaker lesson.  This lesson was taught as a hybrid of in-person and Zoom formats.  It was taught as a 2-hour workshop instead of the usual 1-hour lesson because of the extent of the information.  It also included food demonstrations and recipe tasting.  

Our objectives in teaching this class were:

• To create a better understanding of choosing, maintaining, and cooking with cast iron.
• To create a better understanding of the different types of frying pans, what to look for when purchasing frying pans, the care of frying pans, and cooking with a frying pan.

A pre-survey done through a Zoom poll and paper and pencil showed that 88% of participants reported average to good knowledge about the different types of frying pans, the different types of cast iron, and the use and care of frying pans and cast iron skillets before the workshop started. Responses to our post survey done in the same manner showed that 100% of the participants reported excellent knowledge in the same areas.  88% reported that they would try a new type of frying pan or skillet and 100% reported that they would now clean and care for their frying pans and skillets in an appropriate manner to extend the life of the pan.

Comments from participants included “I realized I need to season my skillet” and “I will take better care of my skillets and frying pans.” Overall, it was a successful workshop.