Kitchen aid
Project a fundraiser and aid for teaching culinary skills
New Leaf is compiling recipes for cookbook as a fundraiser and to teach people how to cook
The idea came out of a simple comment. A participant in a group at New Leaf spoke about how he was hungry now that he was living alone without his partner who used to do all of the cooking. From there came the idea to create a cookbook that would not only help people learn to cook, but would be a fundraiser for the non-profit group. “New Leaf is a support group for men who were abusive in the past or have different issues in their relationship. We provide support and counselling and mentorship and work towards building health care relationships,” said Sarah Toole, an intern with New Leaf. “Someone (in a group) mentioned he was living alone without his partner and he was starving because he didn’t know how to cook,” said Toole. “(The group leader) had the bright idea that no one is teaching these guys how to cook and it blossomed into this big thing.” Toole said New Leaf has provided support to 2,500 men in the past 30 years and currently has about 25 men coming to weekly sessions. Many of those involved in the program become involved through self or family referrals who recognize that they need to change their behaviours. New Leaf operates on a tight budget and hasn’t received any extra funding in the entire 30 years. Sales from the cookbook will go toward day-to-day operations but will also be used to create new programs for participants. The cookbook will include a large number of recipes from men, some of whom are role models in the local community as well as across the country. Toole said she was able to have a recipe submitted by Master Chef Canada judge Michael Bonacini. Other role models include local politicians, musicians and athletes. In addition to the recipes, the cookbook will also have glossary of cooking terms as well as lists of baking and cooking utensils. Toole currently has 50 submitted recipes but is planning for as many as 150. Recipes and title suggestions can be sent to newleafcooks@newleafpictoucounty.ca.