It’s hard to transition from high school to college, especially when you are on your own for the first time. The Upward Bound program invites high school students to live in a college setting during summer months. And an opportunity to learn skills that will prepare them for not only life on campus but how to be a successful college student. The Madison County Cooperative Extension Service was asked to host a cooking school for these students where they could learn basic cooking techniques, knife skills and safe food handling in a dorm setting.

The Snap-Ed nutrition assistant taught 11 students these basic skills, reporting such success that an advanced class was requested. The student were given opportunity to show off their new skills by cooking two complete meals that were shared in a family setting. All students reported cooking for their families during break and feeling confident moving into a dorm setting.