Program cooks up new skills

YOUNG people will get the chance to learn how to cook healthy meals under the direction of professional chefs through a new Bendigo Foodshare program.

Launching next month, the Cafe for a Day program will see people aged 15 to 24 years old enter the Hoo-gah and Salvation Army Gravel Hill kitchens to develop their cooking and professional workplace skills.

“The idea in the end is about building food skills in young people with our overall mission at Bendigo Foodshare to reduce food insecurity,” said the organisation’s community services coordinator Amy Sattler.

“We believe by arming young people with the skills of how to cook and grow, then it sets them up for much better health objectives in the long run.

“It’s also got a built-in focus for work related skills targeted at the age group of young people who are eligible to enter the workforce and sets them up with not only the experience of working in a commercial kitchen under a chef but also receiving a food handling certificate that’s been funded by Yo Bendigo.”

The program includes two sessions open to the public and three private sessions for Kangaroo Flat schools funded by Healthy Heart of Victoria, whose 2019 Acting Living Census found residents in the suburb ate less fruit than the Greater Bendigo average.

Owner and manager of Hoo-gah, Gina Triolo, said she was looking forward to welcoming young people into her kitchen.

“I think it’s really important for young people to learn how to cook so that they learn how to eat well. If you want to instil knowledge in people, the younger they are the better,” she said.

“There’s a lot of fast food around that seems healthy but it’s not really. I think there needs to be a bit of education around it.”

Ms Triolo said she was also drawn to the program for its food handling certificate, as workplace shortages continue to affect the hospitality industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hospitality is a great industry to be in. You get to see the product of your work really quickly and get a sense of achievement every time someone says they like your food or you’ve made a great coffee,” she said.

As well as participants being able to enjoy their meal together, they will also serve municipal staff from the nearby Bendigo Bank building using a ‘donate what you can’ system, with money raised going to Foodshare, Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services, and Kangaroo Flat Community House.

To register for a public session on 11 or 13 April, visit bit.ly/3qD1WBM.