This project was funded by the Aberdeen Health and Improvement Fund and kindly supported by CFINE
Early positive experiences with food and nutrition are essential for children to develop lifelong healthy habits. As financial uncertainties grow, food insecurity is becoming more prevalent, making affordable, nutritious meals harder to access for many families. Aware that this pressure and concern is likely being felt by children, freelance practitioners Carla Smith and Jess Wilson-Leigh launched Cook & Create, an exciting initiative in March 2024 that aimed to create experiences for children that build positivity and excitement around food. This project brought together children for a series of three hands-on workshops aimed at fostering creativity, confidence, and nutritional awareness.
Held in the CFINE kitchen, the workshops provided a lively, engaging environment where children explored the food they eat while learning essential kitchen skills. Each session began with an introduction to the day’s recipe, encouraging children to share their own food experiences from home. For many, it was their first time cooking with such independence. The first half of the workshops focused on step-by-step recipe guidance, helping the kids develop valuable skills like reading recipes and handling ingredients safely.
Once the meals were prepared, participants and workshop leaders sat together to enjoy the food and discuss its ingredients and their nutritional benefits. Each child took home a portion to share with their family, reinforcing the day's learning and spreading the knowledge beyond the session.
The workshops didn't stop at cooking—artmaking was a key component too. Children participated in creative activities like collage, clay building, and printmaking, with the results compiled into a beautifully printed, pocket-sized recipe book. This book serves as both an archive of the sessions and a showcase of the children’s artwork, allowing them to see their work valued and highlighted. Each participant received their own copy, and additional copies were donated to community libraries, sharing both the recipes and artwork with the wider community.
These workshops demonstrated the powerful impact of community-driven initiatives. The joy and engagement of the children were clear, and the lessons learned extend far beyond cooking. Through positive role modelling, artistic expression, and practical skills, the "Cook & Create" workshops have left lasting impressions on the participants. Requests for more recipes suggest that this may only be the beginning of a movement to nurture curiosity and a love of food in the next generation.
A "Cook & Create Part Two" may very well be on the horizon!
