Let's Get Cookin'

This program is currently being revised for the 2022-23 school year. Please check back soon for updates.

Formerly known as You're the Chef, the Let's Get Cookin' program provides training for school volunteers to teach basic cooking skills to children and youth (grades 5 and up). If you enjoy cooking, this program can help you start running the Let’s Get Cookin’ program in your school community! The program, adapted from Niagara Region Public Health, is based on a “train the trainer” model and is co-run locally by Southwestern Public Health and Middlesex-London Health Unit. All volunteers must participate in a free half-day training session as part of the program.

About The Program:

Adapted with permission from Middlesex-London Health Unit

• Format: One orientation session and six themed cooking sessions
• Two recipes are prepared at each session and can be prepared in under one hour (room set-up and clean-up will take additional time)
• All recipes include either a vegetable or fruit
• Can be run in a classroom; proximity to water, refrigerator and freezer required
• A stove/oven is not required for recipe preparation (electric skillets are used)
• Recipes aim to develop basic cooking skills and use basic equipment
• Cost of preparing two recipes per session is approximately $20 for tasting for 10 participants
• A complete list of equipment, recipes and all the information required to facilitate the program is available on the Facilitator Portal

What some Facilitators have said about the program:

• “I would highly recommend this program to any school that is considering implementing it”
• “Kids loved it”, “it was “fun”, “many participants appreciated that their friends were here”
• “Amazing opportunity for our children and teaches them the responsibilities in the kitchen. They learn the basics to prepare a meal, good kitchen practices and in a structured and exciting way”
• “Encourages reading skills, measuring, team work, and skill development”

How to Register

Before registering for a training session please ensure you have:

• Permission to run the program from the appropriate designate in your location

When registering for training please be prepared to answer the following questions:

• The date you will start the Let's Get Cookin' program
• The number of facilitators that will be trained from your location. Please note the ratio of facilitators to participants is 1:5. However, the more facilitators that are trained the easier it is to run the program

To register for training, please call 1-800-922-0096 and ask to speak with a member of the Healthy Schools Team.

• NOTE: registration is based on a first come first serve basis.

About the Training

As a facilitator you will need to be able to:

• Understand and interpret the information presented during training
• Read, understand and accurately use the information provided in training and in the Facilitators Portal (e.g., content information, safety information, recipes, shopping list etc.)
• Lead the orientation session and six cooking sessions at your location
• Communicate effectively and provide participants with key information for each session including safety information

Training Sessions

• Offered at Southwestern Public Health Unit in St. Thomas (1230 Talbot Street)
• Daytime and evening training available
• Training lasts approximately. 2.5 - 3 hours
• Training is facilitated in English; however, information and recipes available in English and French

At training, volunteers will learn about:

• Program design and facilitation
• Basic food safety
• Healthy eating basics
• Making and tasting selected program recipes

Following the Training Session

• Participants will be sent an email detailing how to access the Facilitator Portal where all information to support the program is available

What will I do as a trained facilitator?

• Purchase equipment to run the program
• Recruit or decide how participants will be selected to participate in the program (if in a school in consultation with principal and/or other staff)
• Ensure consents have been sent home and are returned prior to starting program (store according to school policy).
• Purchase the approved sanitizer and understand how to safely use it to sanitize the room, equipment and dishes (in schools speak with custodian and/or principal)
• Buy groceries for each session as listed in the manual
• Review the manual and plan sessions based on the information in the manual
• Prior to each cooking session clean and sanitize the room where cooking will occur and clean and sanitize the room and dishes and equipment following each session
• Set up the room for the sessions
• Facilitate the orientation session and subsequent cooking sessions
• Keep track of attendance (and store according to school policy)
• Respond to the survey after completion of the series