Repeat After Me; “Cooking classes are for people that eat.” They aren’t just for free food samples and entertainment. Now, If you attend a really good one, that also has a farmer’s market on the property…you’ll really be sizzling!
Each week the boys and I have been attending the Rosa Parks Farmers Market here at the Health Department on Beatties Ford Rd. They even had a chef out there offering free cooking classes. I give them an allowance and most times, they stay within their budget. Because the prices are very fair, the produce is organic and locally grown, it quickly became a highlight of our week. As a matter of fact, the baby boys learned their days of the week based on “Tuesday Market Day.”
My home-schooled boys love the Kids Zone too. It’s like their own little world of education and entertainment. Which is great as I shop and get the first sample of Chef Kabuhi’s dishes, on the days they don’t feel like sitting quietly and watching. As the chef cooks, he teaches, tells stories and pause for culinary photo opportunities every once in a while. From him we’ve learned these things:
It’s smarter to add salt as you go along. There is NO WAY of reducing it once it’s on your food.- God doesn’t bless you with good health when you choose to eat cheap food
- Spice is a seed and herbs are plants
- If you listen*, your food will talk to you.
- Produce are mostly water. You don’t need any more to cook them.
- The sign of a good chef includes just 3 Things – Temperature, Flavor and Moisture.
- When we buy dead food , we not only disrespect our bodies, but also our local farmers, family,and your families local economy.
- Your food is your mirror
He shared so much more,but I dare not tell you. You’ll have to go see him for yourself.
Today, I do take more time with each meal. I am empowered to try different combinations of food textures and understand the necessity to keep our garden up as much as we can, even in the winter months. Honestly, I think everyone should frequent farmers markets and take cooking classes. It empowers you to learn basic cooking skills, gives you awareness of food integrity, and teaches you how to speak with your food dollars!
Lol! He said”Take a picture of this beauty!”
And I could not end without showing off my enhanced culinary skills that I did not get from Johnson and Wales University, (because I was a business major) I gathered some produce from our garden. Seasoned my oil with this mix I bought from the chef. Cooked my eggplants first, peppers/mixed greens last. WHY? Because the pepper/greens mix were the fastest to cook, so adding them near the end is best for the finished product (Thank you Chef Kabuhi) 
I can only hope the kids at the upcoming Total Children’s Wellness Fair does this well and leave this big of an impression. I know my boys are requesting to make more cooking videos now. Yes, Win Win Win!
We are going to miss our Tuesday Market Days’ It will always be our summer spot for community chatting, fun shopping, organic produce, informative and wise chef place to buy real food and learn how to cook it.
Have you ever attended a farmers market that had a chef there? Do you like cooking classes? Tell me about your experience.
“This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to have fresh, affordable food.” We also believe that, just as Ms. Rosa Parks felt that people having access to public accommodations is a civil rights issue, we also believe that food sovereignty – people having fresh, affordable culturally appropriate food – is a human rights issue as well as a civil rights issue.” -Reggie Singleton,a health policy coordinator with the county
QC Supermom 