BEGINNER'S COOKING CLUB for AGES 14-22

Thursdays  |  Mar 10 to Apr 14  |  6:30 - 7:30 PM  |  Zoom Meeting

Being empowered in the kitchen with knowledge and experience builds confidence, expands interests, increases the quality of life, and helps to develop independence. Individuals with Autism are at a greater risk of being nutritionally deficient due to their highly selective food preferences, routine rigidity, and sensory differences. This program takes a systematic and direct approach to support individuals with these characteristics and help them build a healthy relationship with food from their own kitchens.

This program is best suited for beginners who are new to the kitchen.  Anyone with Autism or other developmental disability, ages 14-22, who can follow written and verbal directions and has moderate fine motor control is welcome.

PARTICIPANTS WILL:

• Learn about nutrition and what foods to eat to feel good
• Practice food and kitchen safety
• Acquire basic cooking techniques
• Develop greater independence in the kitchen

HOW THIS WORKS

• Prep kits are emailed prior to each lesson - list of equipment, visual recipes, printable activities, reference videos, and a weekly live lesson
• Participants use their own equipment and ingredients
• Live classes consist of a skill review, lesson, safety discussion, and guided cook along
• Skills build on each other in the next lesson as the recipes get more complex
• Participants get access to a video resource library of skill tutorials for practice on their own

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Due to limited resources, ASGA cannot permit outside friends or siblings to participate in the Beginner’s Cooking Club if they are not registered for the program.
• Classes involve real-life cooking (with tools, heat, etc.), so parent/caregiver involvement may be necessary. Only you can determine the appropriate supervision/assistance your participant needs.
  
  
  

WHAT WILL WE COOK

• Recipes start simple and progress each week
• Every recipe is paired with a skill that is taught in class. Extra recipes are provided for participants to make on their own outside of live classes.
• Recipes made in class cover breakfast, lunch, side dishes, dinner, and dessert!

*Accommodations can be made for food allergies and sensitivities.

LOCATION / DATE / TIME / COST

• Club meets virtually using Zoom
• Classes held Thursdays from 6:30 - 7:30 pm for 6 weeks from Mar 10 to Apr 14
• Cost for the 6-week session is $90 (that is $15 per lesson with a $395 Value). 
• County Board of DD Family Engagement Funds can be used for this program.  Limited scholarships are available. Please email Lisa Thompson, Director of Programs and Operations for more information.

HAVE QUESTIONS

If you have questions or would like to talk about accommodations needed, please contact Jane Fitz, Program Coordinator via email here. 

DISCLAIMER: The Beginner’s Cooking Club is intended to teach basic life skills in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. It is not intended as therapy or treatment for Autism or any mental health or physical disorders. The Autism Society of Greater Akron is not able to provide medical or psychotherapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

SUPPORTED BY:

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About the Autism Society of Greater Akron

The Autism Society of Greater Akron (ASGA) is part of a nationwide network of affiliates with the Autism Society of America, the nation’s largest and oldest grassroots autism organization. ASGA serves Summit, Stark, Wayne, Portage and Medina counties (OH) and works locally to achieve its mission -- to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.

ASGA is also a proud member of the Ohio Family Network (OFN), connecting people with disabilities and their families to local information and resources within their communities.  OFN provides opportunities to share ideas, find solutions to common challenges and inspire and strengthen others.