Juniors Become Chefs at Buckhannon Church

Story by Liz Bailey

Church and community members recently enjoyed “Let’s Become Junior Chefs,” a hands-on cooking class experience. The three-hour class, held across five Sunday afternoons, was sponsored by the Children’s Ministries Department from the Buckhannon (W.Va.) church. Darlene Parker, the Children’s Ministries leader; Bonnie Cutright, her assistant; and volunteers Melonie Gerath, Judy Riley, Terry McCray and Buckhannon Pastor Roger Curtis and his family worked together to help kids become creative in the kitchen.

At the beginning of class, Gerath shared a PowerPoint on the Eight Principles of Health, followed by Parker’s presentation on the various tools used in the kitchen and how to safely use them. The kids learned how to measure dry and wet ingredients, use a spatula, crack an egg, mix with a spoon and mixer, and use a knife safely. Each afternoon, they made one or two edible crafts using their kitchen tools. They also learned how to make nutritious breakfast foods, whole wheat bread, their own pizza from scratch, be creative with fruits and vegetables, and craft delicious “munchin lunches” and “dynamite dinner” meals. Prior to the last class, parents were invited to taste what the children had prepared.

As a follow-up, the group held the Junior Chef’s Christmas Cookie Bake-Off. Twenty children and a few parents enjoyed a festive, fun-filled afternoon. Before departure, leaders distributed children’s cookbooks, and Curtis prayed for the families.

One parent later wrote, “Thank you for the cooking classes. This was the first thing my son has been left at because of his age. Normally I have to stay with him. So being able to have a little independence in a safe environment is something he needs to thrive. … Cooper said he enjoyed getting to do prayers.”