This summer, N Street Village hosted hands-on cooking classes at Bethany Women’s Center, giving women the opportunity to develop culinary skills in a welcoming, supportive environment.
“We’re trying to do three things,” said the Village’s Food Service and Nutrition Manager Scott Ulen. “First, give people a foundation of confidence in cooking from scratch for themselves. Second, teach people how to move safely and with proper sanitation in our commercial kitchen so they can volunteer with us and give back to their community. And third, for those who are interested, we’re creating a pathway toward hands-on, practical experience, industry certifications, and workforce development.”
The course begins with the fundamentals. During the first two sessions, participants learn proper sanitation practices, handwashing, dishwashing, food handling, and kitchen safety. The curriculum includes ServSafe® Food Handler training, a nationally recognized food safety program that teaches safe food handling practices and helps prepare participants for employment in the food service industry. These foundational skills also enable participants to safely volunteer in the Village’s kitchen while building experience in a commercial culinary setting.
From there, the classes become increasingly hands-on. After mastering the basics, participants baked banana bread together—learning how to read and follow a recipe, measure ingredients accurately, and understand the building blocks of cooking from scratch. Upcoming classes will introduce knife skills, roasted vegetable dishes, soups, and practical ways to adapt recipes using ingredients participants already have at home.
While the culinary skills are important, Chef Scott says one of the most meaningful parts of the program has been the opportunity to connect with the women in a new way.
“It’s been really great to interact more with clients other than just cooking the food and feeding them,” he said. “I’d like to see it be a two-way conversation. I love seeing clients come back into the kitchen and become part of the whole food service operation, rather than simply receiving a meal.”
Kristin, a Village client, summed up her experience: “Chef Scott’s cooking class is where creativity meets good food.”
By bringing together practical life skills, workforce preparation, and meaningful connection, the Village’s cooking classes are helping women build confidence, gain experience, and develop skills they can carry with them beyond the kitchen.