Success StoryCooking 101 - the Road to Excellence



Cooking 101 - the Road to Excellence

Author: Linda Combs

Planning Unit: Knott County CES

Major Program: Food Preparation

Plan of Work: Accessing Nutritious Food

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Cooking 101 was developed and implemented at the direction of the Family and Consumer Science (FCS) extension council.  Members of the council discussed that eating at home with the family unit promotes positive relations and the consumption of more nutritious foods.  Cooking 101 began in late fall of 2018 and at the request of participants continues into fall of 2019.  Cooking 101 is a “hands-on” monthly class where participants prepare recipes. The program is a collaboration between the county FCS agent and the county Nutrition Education Program assistants (NEP).  During each monthly session staff demonstrates cooking skills and teaches a nutrition topic.  Class agendas include: use of small appliances, how to select fruits, vegetables, cuts of beef, temperature to cook various meats for doneness, how to use a thermometer, how to test a thermometer, various nutrients, food safety and other topics.  Participants are divided into groups and are given a recipe to prepare.  After recipes are completed participants sample the recipes.  Participants reported:  100% learned how to use a thermometer, 100% reported using a meat thermometer after the class, 100% reported they learned how to select more nutritious fruits and vegetables, 100% reported learning how to plan a more healthy meal, 100% reported learning how and why they need to wash fruits and vegetables before preparing, 70% reported they learned proper knife cutting skills, 100 % now store leftovers in a safe time window after a meal, 100% reported learning new ways to take tasty food to a potluck and keep it safe, 100% learned new ways to grill food and tried new recipes at home when grilling and 100% learned how to use a new small appliance.






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