African Chef - cooking skills for African men
This project aimed to help African men to develop their skills and knowledge around preparing food. healthy eating etc.
As a direct observation and as result of consultation with our clients’, it became evident that many of our male clients’ from Africa were lacking in basic skills and knowledge regarding food and nutrition. This was particularly issue impacting on the health and wellbeing of our young African clients’, who are often living alone or with other young male family members.
With integration into Australian society; traditional family structures and roles area also changing, resulting in a greater need for men to be involved in the food preparation and cooking in the family home.
In a series of information and cooking sessions, the program participants have been provided with nutritional information, taken on a supermarket tour and discussed the different varieties of foods, as well as the different ways to prepare and cook the different food varieties. The participants learn about menu planning, preparation, cooking and serving of food, and all aspects of food safety; including cross contamination safe food storage and cleaning.
Typical cooking sessions involve volunteer instructors, and 2 recipes for simple and nutritious meals. Recognising that many of the participants have low levels of written English proficiency, the recipes taught are very simple, and not reliant on exact measurements. They are also adaptable, and participants discuss alternatives to the ingredients used in the class.
The program is very client focussed, and the clients’ have been involved in every aspect of the planning of the program. Classes are held at convenient times and location, and the recipes that are taught are directed by the participants themselves.
The continual input by the participants gives them a sense of ownership of the program and empowers them in commencing to make healthy and practical food choices for themselves. It is interesting to note that western style foods are those most favoured by the group, however it is also the intention to promote their own culture by seeking traditional recipes and cooking instructors to be included in the program.
The program is increasingly popular and it is anticipated that it will continue to run in various forms in the future.
The women in the African communities we work with have also expressed a desire to be able to come together to share their own traditional meals, as well as learn western style foods together.
Read more:
Submitted by:
Ms Bronwyn Penny
Settlement Services Project Officer
Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT Inc
GPO Box 697 , Canberra, ACT, 2601
ph:02 6248 8577
email: sgp1@marss.org.au
web: www.mrccanberra.org.au
Categories:
Categories:Community Development, Other
Themes:Nutrition, food preparation, cooking, food safety, kitchen hygiene, buying food, budgeting, men
Release Date:23-Jun-2009
Date of Study:23-Jun-2009
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