As warmer weather approaches, we await the first day when we can open our windows and welcome in spring. The smell of fresh grass, warm earth…and wait — what’s that I smell cooking? It must be Spring Cooking programs in the Recreation Kitchen.
This spring, the Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to offer a growing variety cooking and baking programs in the Recreation Kitchen for young people and adults alike.
Beginning with Bread Baking with Diane MacFeeters, young people grades two through eight will learn the basics of baking bread. In the Parent/Child Bread Baking class, second and third graders will have the joy of baking bread with a parent or adult partner. This one day workshop will offer children and parents the opportunity to work together to create a yeast bread and a quick bread. This class will allow for the younger bakers and parents to learn about yeast, bread productions, dough rising, proofing and shaping. During bread rising, time will be used to make quick breads. The Bread Baking for grades four through eight will be instructed over the course of four weeks on yeast breads, bread production, dough rising, proofing and shaping. Students will learn how to make pretzels, biscuits and yeast breads.
Additionally, one-day workshops for adults who would like to venture into the world of bread baking will be available. Adult classes in bread baking and cooking alike are growing in popularity.
All bread workshops and the four-week bread programs are taught by MacFeeters. MacFeeters has entered the world of the culinary arts following a distinguished career as an educator. Having retired from the State of New Jersey, she has continued her own education by becoming Serv Safe Certified. A self-taught baker, MacFeeters has mastered yeast breads over 45 years of practice. She has a passion for fresh, healthy, whole foods and looks forward to sharing her knowledge with others.
Chef Katie Sklarow returns to the Recreation Kitchen to share healthy, home-cooked meals this spring. Offered this spring is Introduction to Baking, a four-week course covering the basics of baking. Chef Katie has been cooking and teaching professionally for over five years. She has worked her way up through local restaurants and graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Culinary Management from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. She loves working, sustainable ingredients and sharing her passion with others. This spring, healthy meals using locally farmed seasonal ingredients top the list with Chef Katie. Chef Katie will be offering a series of one-day culinary classes for adults and children. Sharing her love of good food combined with her conviction that sustainable local foods are best, Chef Katie will share her wealth of knowledge with all who attend.
Finally, the Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to host the pilot program for the Live Civilly Make-N-Take Nutritional Outreach program. The monthly Make-N-Take is a targeted program for children grades four through six and will offer instruction in making low-cost, healthy, tasty meals. This program filled with “pantry friendly meals” will offer children healthy meal options while providing basic cooking skills. The Recreation/Live Civilly collaboration on youth outreach programs continues to grow and offer unique opportunities to all young people in the Moorestown community.
Check out the Spring Cooking programs and other Recreation programs by visiting the Department of Parks and Recreation website at www.moorestown.nj.us/253/Parks-Recreation. Like us on Facebook and join the Recreation Nation this spring!
