As Virginia Woolf said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”  This month residents shared the kitchen with volunteers and longtime friends of COTS Lynn Van Zeeland & Mary Harp-Jirschele, during our Turkey Cook Off. This event engaged residents in preparation of a turkey dinner and also showcased versatility through the creation of numerous side dishes.

With just a few common and inexpensive items residents were able to experience preparing meals as diverse as quesadillas and souffles to an easy to make Cobbler Cake or Dump Cake.

Food will always be a basic human need but experiencing and learning the process of cooking and meal preparation intrinsically gives us so much more. The process transcends human need and nourishes not only the body but also  the sense of community and humanity. It’s been called the oldest art form, a timeless skill, life enriching, and delivers the confidence to handle whatever the world, or cupboard, has in store.