COOKING CLASSES

Sergio Suarez is the Operation Feed cooking instructor. Sergio’s beloved neighbors, and Operation Feed benefactors, John and Cleo Wester originally encouraged Sergio to become involved with Operation Feed. Initially he made a monthly donation, but soon Sergio was helping out at despensa every Thursday morning, and he remains a vital presence there.

When the call was made for volunteers to help restart cooking classes at Operation Feed, Sergio asked himself “Why not? It might be fun, and you’re fluent in Spanish, why not share your cooking knowledge with the ladies in the village while at the same time learning something from them?”

Although Sergio was not formally trained as a chef, he has a passion for cooking, he has taken many cooking classes, and he has watched endless hours of cooking shows, learning and absorbing new techniques and recipes along the way. It also helps that Sergio comes from a long line of excellent Cuban home cooks, including his mother, his aunts, and a few of his uncles.

Cooking classes are now held regularly, and they all feature an easy recipe that uses items the participants receive in their weekly despensa packages. Sergio really enjoys preparing new recipes for his students, and he considers the cost of the ingredients and available cooking methods when he develops recipes; many of the despensa recipients’ households do not have ovens, which can present challenges when creating easy preparations for his students.

Through word of mouth, the cooking classes have gained attention and attendance has increased. The classes are fun, lively and informative. And, most importantly, the women of San Juan Cosala learn to prepare meals for their families in tasty new ways. The results have been positive and gratifying.

Please consider contributing to the cooking classes fund. If funds are available, it would be great to be able to offer a drawing at the end of each class for much-needed new home cooking utensils for attendees. Sergio looks forward to continuing teaching cooking classes because, to put it simply, they are also teaching him!