Program Highlights

• Real-world cooking experiences

• Building independence in daily living skills

• Confidence in preparing meals at home

• Collaborative cooking and social interaction

• Practical strategies for meal planning and grocery shoppingCourse Outline

Week 1 – Midwest

Discover the flavors of the Midwest while building a balanced lunch inspired by local agriculture. Participants will prepare classic favorites while practicing kitchen safety, food preparation, executive functioning, and nutrition skills through hands-on, therapist-designed cooking experiences.

Week 2 – East Coast

Explore fresh flavors from the East Coast by creating a seafood-inspired lunch box featuring simple, nutritious recipes. Participants will strengthen cooking confidence, food safety knowledge, sequencing, and communication skills while learning about coastal foods and healthy eating.

Week 3 – Southern Comfort

Experience the comforting flavors of the South by preparing hearty favorites like BBQ chicken and mac and cheese. This hands-on class focuses on cooking methods, meal preparation, organization, and building independence in the kitchen through engaging sensory experiences.

Week 4 – West Coast

Celebrate the vibrant tastes of the American West with fresh fruits, vegetables, and colorful ingredients. Participants will explore healthy eating, practice food preparation skills, and build confidence in creating balanced meals while learning about the farms and produce that make the region unique.

Targeted Skills

• Kitchen safety and hygiene

• Meal planning and organization

• Grocery shopping awareness

• Following recipes and sequencing tasks

• Building independence in meal preparation

• Fine motor coordination (measuring, mixing, pouring)

• Task initiation and completion

• Functional requesting and commenting

• Describing foods and cooking steps

• Self Advocacy and problem-solving