The Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Youth Service Center at Daviess County Middle School to offer a six-session 4-H Cooking Series using approved 4-H Teen Cuisine curriculum.  The Youth Service Center Director identified and recruited twelve free-lunch students to participate.  The director recognized these students did not always eat well at home for various reasons.  Student comments included that “they don’t cook at home”, “student doesn’t eat at home”, and “family doesn’t cook.”

Over six after-school sessions students prepared everything from omelets to chicken quesadillas as they learned to read recipes and understand food measurements.  Lessons also included safe food preparation and storage, along with how to make healthier food and drink choices. 

While a few recipes were slightly more complex, most of the recipes chosen required a few low-cost ingredients that were also quick, easy, and practical for the students to prepare at home.  At the conclusion of the last session, 80% of the participants indicated their cooking skills had improved, 50% had tried something new, and 60% had prepared one or more of the recipes at home.