Cooking With Chefs Series
Free Healthy Cooking Classes Adopt Video Format in Response to COVID-19 Regulations
Victor De La Fuente and Justin Morrison video Dr. Sabrina Falquier Mongrain at Coronado Kitchen & Bath for our Healthy Cooking Program
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Disturbing Numbers Motivate Foundation Action
Obesity rates in San Diego County have doubled in the last 10 years and quadrupled among teenagers with thirty percent of children in grades 5 -9 found to be obese, according to the 2017 San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative.
Dr. Sabrina Falquier discusses MyPlate, the new Nutrition Plate guidelines for food groups and portions, replacing the outdated Food Pyramid
The Numbers
The rates of food and nutrition-related illnesses are even higher among Latino, Black, and low-income children. The results can be cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, fatty liver disease, stroke, joint and musculoskeletal discomfort, and early death.
Factors
A primary factor is poor dietary choices, along with sedentary lifestyles. Too many young people are ingesting too many empty calories, too much fat and too much sugar coupled with not enough exercise.
Changing Habits
Changing poor eating habits is difficult. Obese children often become obese adults who raise obese children and continue an unhealthy, deadly lifecycle. Poor nutrition begins at home and spreads to meals eaten outside the home and even into school cafeterias.
Our Neighborhoods
The highest childhood obesity rates in the county and some of the highest in the state occur in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and National City in South San Diego County.
Life Before the Pandemic
Origins
In response to the 2017 San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative, the Chefs de Cuisine Education Foundation developed a program of healthy cooking classes in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of South County after school programs.
Kids & Parents
Parents/guardians registered students for the twice-monthly, in-person cooking classes. The Foundation covered all costs for food, equipment, and instruction.
Curriculum
The course included healthy, kid-friendly recipes and mini-lessons on sanitation, cleanliness, portion size, nutrition labels, cross contamination, reducing levels of salt, fats, sugar and processed foods, the use of herbs and spices, and healthy snacking.
Recipes
Lesson-related recipes were prepared by youngsters under the supervision of Chefs de Cuisine’s professional chefs, often accompanied by local culinary students. Program participants received copies of recipes during each class and were encouraged to prepare recipes with their parents/guardians, and siblings as a family activity.
Chef Don Williamson instructs students in our Healthy Cooking Program
Children learn proper hand washing and sanitation practices
Online Restructure of Program
Beginnings
The 2019-2020 school year began with the Foundation intent on expanding the classes to other local after school programs. Plans for expansion were postponed in March 2020 when issues related to COVID-19 closed local schools and after school programs.
The decision by most school districts to provide online-only instruction during the 2020-2021 school year required reformatting of the cooking class delivery system.
The Videos
Videos were created with 5-7-minute lessons and 20-25-minute step-by-step instructions on recipe preparation. The lessons provide tips on nutrition and kitchen safety. The great tasting recipes introduce a variety of fruits, grains, vegetables, legumes, and dishes from around the world, that are healthier and often less expensive than prepared or processed meals frequently purchased at stores and fast-food outlets.
Partners
The Foundation partnered directly with after school program coordinators in Sweetwater Union High School District that includes National City, Chula Vista, and Imperial Beach.
Our Process for Kids and Parents
Registration
Parents/guardians signed online permission forms and agreed to pick up food items at a designated distribution point in their area. The Foundation has developed a partnership with the Suncoast Market Co-op, the Chula Vista Police Activities League and the Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center to coordinate distribution.
Video Portfolios
After school program coordinators maintain a video portfolio of items prepared and complete online worksheets on nutrition and healthy eating. After School program coordinators at each of the 12 schools involved in the initial program phase monitor the portfolio progress and share data with the Foundation. Finished portfolios are required for program completion certificates.
Competition
An online competition will be held at the end of the school year for students to exhibit preparation and presentation skills. Winners will be featured in videos for future classes.
Future Plans
If current restrictions are in place at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, completion ceremonies will be held online. Otherwise an in-person event will be scheduled.
When schools resume full-time, in-person instruction, program format will be adjusted. Program expansion will be considered after the 2021-2022 school year.
Classes are partially funded by the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation. Donations for ongoing program support are encouraged and appreciated.
Meet Evan Estrada, a 15-year-old cooking phenom who competed on the nationally-televised Master Chef Junior program and will be one of the chefs featured in our healthy cooking classes videos.
Here Evan tastes his roasted tomato soup in his lesson for our Healthy Cooking Series