A Culinary Story…

I have the privilege of leading the culinary program at YFC.  Some of the students come early on their program night to cook a meal for their peers and mentors.  The students leave the night feeling excited about the food they served.  They get lots of compliments from their friends and mentors!  The students are developing life skills like learning how to crack an egg, brown ground beef, and make cookies for the first time.

Students experience an environment where adult mentors show genuine interest in their lives while we cook shoulder to shoulder.  Often as we cook, students share about their lives in a way that is more natural and not forced. Some topics that have come up recently in the kitchen are:

-Energy drinks: Are they good or bad for you? (Spoiler alert: the logic of a teenager on this topic is fascinating!)
-Current jobs and dreams for future jobs.
-Sports: Will the Timberwolves, Vikings, Wild, or Twins actually win something this year?
-Pimple patches: Do they work?
-Favorite teachers and how they make you feel when you’re around them.
-Conversations about God and how He is working in their lives.
-Family and their impact in our lives.

If you have a teenager in your life, we encourage you to find something to do together.  Maybe it’s a project, shopping, cooking, or playing a game.  During those activities, think of some intentional questions to ask and see where the conversation goes.  You might be surprised what topics come up, pimple patches and all!

Eric Blake
Executive Assistant
Culinary Ministry Coordinator