Top: Violet Feehan, Mark Doe, Lucy Baker and Shannen Doherty.
Centre: Helena Falvey, Denis McAuliffe, Mark Doe, Damien Feehan and Dominic Prendiville. Bottom: Ryan Broderick, Mark Doe, Kenneth O’ Connor and Jason Keane. Photographs Courtesy of Helena Falvey
As part of a career progression and life long learning course in the KDYS An-tOileán and the Garda Youth Diversion Project, nine young people took part in a three session ‘Introduction to Cookery’ programme, funded by the European Social Fund.
Personal Development
The aim of the course was to facilitate personal development, enhance the young people’s CVs, enable them to have the opportunity to engage in training courses that were of interest to them and identify possible future career paths. The young people attended the ‘Just Cooking Cookery School’ in Firies, facilitated by Mark and Bernie Doe. In the sessions young people gained knowledge on basic food hygiene, including guidelines on cooking, reheating and food storage. They learned knife skills and kitchen safety rules. Through a range of dishes, young people have learned various cookery techniques and gained insights into basic nutrition leading to a healthier lifestyle.
Keen Interest
Commenting on the project, Helena Falvey, KDYS Youth Justice Worker stated that “All the participants have a keen interest in cooking and some have expressed an interest in this career and hope to attend Cookery College after school. Cooking is also a life long learning skill for young people to be able to live a nutritious and healthy lifestyle”. On completing the programme the young people received a certificate of participation in the Introduction to Cookery Course.
“Securing funding from the European Social Fund has also enabled the project to buy kitchen equipment and utensils which young people can continue to use in the An tOileán project and go on to further up-skill their cookery skills,” said Ms. Falvey.
Long Term Impact
“This course will have a long term impact for young people when they leave their homes to attend college or work. As a direct result of this programme the young people have built up core life skills and knowledge and experience in the overall cooking industry. Hopefully we will see some of them working within the cooking industry in the Kerry area in the coming years,” Ms Falvey concluded.
The KDYS is a charity supporting young people since 1971.
