Do you love the Food Network and wish you could cook like the Iron Chefs? Well you’re in luck; Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL) now offers a cooking class! Whether you are a gourmet chef and want to polish your skills, or you have never touched a skillet in your life, TRCIL’s “Healthy, Delicious, Easy Cooking” class is for you!
TRCIL’s Information and Referral Specialist (and cooking fanatic), Cindy Williams, along with other TRCIL staff, developed a cooking course in 2009 after seeing a growing interest in healthy cooking. The first program was held May through September 2009 with one lesson per month. The title, “Healthy, Delicious, Easy Cooking” tells you exactly what the course is like – simple, fun, and good for you! Williams wants to teach people that it’s not hard to cook delicious, healthy, and affordable food. When asked what her favorite dish to cook is, Williams responded with a chuckle, “That’s like asking a parent which one is your favorite child!”
Who can participate?
All members of TRCIL’s Living Well With A Disability program may attend. At the first class, participants will receive a binder filled with recipes and articles that they may take home! Classes are free and accessible to all. Personal assistants are welcome if needed.
What is the layout and what kind of food will I cook?
During each class participants learn to cook an entrée, side dish, and dessert. Dishes prepared in the past included lasagna, chili, stir fry, and pizza. Every meal has meat and vegetarian options, and at the end of the lesson the group heads to the dining room to enjoy their creations! In the future, Williams hopes to incorporate more foods from different cultures and backgrounds while still keeping it healthy, easy, and affordable.
Participants are also encouraged to bring in their favorite recipes to share with the class!
When is it?
The class takes place once a month and the next round of classes should begin this fall. Each class is limited to 10 people, so it is important to R.S.V.P. before each class. Contact Cindy Williams at cwilliams@trcil.org or 412-371-7700 ext. 136 for more information, and to sign up for fall classes. If you cannot attend the class, Williams says, “experiment and always trust your instincts!”
What if I don’t live in Allegheny, Armstrong or Westmoreland counties? How can I find cooking classes?
If you don’t live in the counties TRCIL serves, but you’re interested in cooking classes, call the Living Well With A Disability hotline (1-877-865-4893) and we’ll help you find what you need to get started!