Success StoryWIN (What I Need) Culinary Classes



WIN (What I Need) Culinary Classes

Author: Julia Wilson

Planning Unit: Hart County CES

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Plan of Work: Improve communication skills/financial situations & pratical living skills

Outcome: Initial Outcome


Basic cooking skills are becoming increasingly uncommon among youth. Recognizing the importance of culinary skills and their positive impact on various aspects of life, the 4-H Agent collaborated with LeGrande Elementary School Librarian to teach and provide resources for WIN (What I Need) Elective classes. The program, conducted during the first nine weeks of school, engaged nine 8th grade students in weekly morning sessions before school. Five of these students had completed culinary classes through the 21st century program with the 4-H agent the previous year. The educational approach encompassed diverse methods, including hands-on learning, interactive sessions, and practical experiences such as creating a shopping list, calculating recipe costs, and advertising lunch offerings to teachers.


 Participants acquired fundamental cooking skills, learned to follow recipes, calculated recipe costs, and created shopping lists. Students successfully marketed and served meals they prepared to teachers, demonstrating practical application of their skills. Teachers, in turn, supported the program by making suggested donations to fund recipes for the following week. Beyond the immediate benefits, the program instilled a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and entrepreneurship in the youth. The development of these life skills is expected to contribute positively to their social, economic, and civic well-being as they progress through life.






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