More individuals from diverse backgrounds are calling Kentucky home. Learning about different cultures and customs is important for area residents as they learn to live with others from around the world.

The Trimble County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent partnered with the Northern KY agents (Pendleton, Kenton and Boone County) to offer a 3-part, hybrid cook-along-from-home series (via Zoom and in-person) focused on the countries and cultures of Germany, Ireland, and Greece. 

On-line (Zoom) participants were sent supply lists and recipes prior to the session so they could purchase the items needed for the cook-along. Trimble County in-person participants engaged in the sessions one time a month, received publications, and had the opportunity to taste the recipes already prepared. 

More than 100 adults from the general public registered to attend one or more of the on-line sessions, with 14-22 participants attending on-site in Trimble County. Those attending learned about the foods being prepared, were introduced to food handling tips, and learned about the culture or country being featured. 

An online evaluation was conducted two months after the end of the series to determine changes in behavior or knowledge used. Forty-two individuals completed the survey which revealed:

Overall, the six recipes made in the sessions were considered “easy” to prepare. Almost half (49 percent) have made one or more of the recipes again. Additionally, 47 percent of the respondents made recipes that were featured in the University of Kentucky Extension handouts provided.

98 percent indicated they learned about a culture or country they had not explored before.

100 percent shared they would try other culturally diverse recipes.

93 percent were inspired to cook other “from scratch” recipes.

54 percent indicated they learned cutting and chopping techniques.

59 percent shared they learned more about safe food handling including how to prepare items in advance to use later in a recipe.

78 percent tried foods they had never tried before including German spätzle, Irish soda bread, and fennel.

One individual shared they enjoyed learning, cooking and using new techniques in their own kitchens. 

The success of the hybrid (online and in-person) Cultural Cook Along from home series was such a success that another three-part series focused on three additional countries is planned for Fall 2022.