Cooking Matters: Helping Our Community Build Skills, Confidence, and Healthy Meals

At Seven Counties Services, we love seeing our clients learn new skills that help them feel confident and capable in their daily lives. One of the most exciting partnerships helping us do this is Cooking Matters, a fun, hands-on cooking program for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, offered in collaboration with Dare to Care. This class makes cooking feel doable, even for people who may feel nervous or unsure in the kitchen. It teaches simple recipes, kitchen safety, and healthy eating in a supportive, upbeat environment. And best of all? Participants get to take home all the ingredients to recreate the meal again with their loved ones/caregivers.

Cooking, confidence, and community all in one place—that’s what Cooking Matters is all about.

What Happens in a Cooking Matters Class?

Before we jump into what the class looks like week to week, it’s important to share what makes Cooking Matters so special. This program is built around support, encouragement, and hands-on learning. Participants aren’t just watching someone cook—they’re learning by doing. Every class brings laughter, new skills, and moments of pride as people discover they can cook healthy meals on their own. Whether someone is brand‑new to cooking or just wants to feel safer and more confident in the kitchen, Cooking Matters meets them right where they are.

Cooking Matters is a six-week course that teaches:

How to make easy, healthy meals
Basic kitchen safety
How to follow a recipe and measure ingredients
Confidence with kitchen tools
Creativity in the kitchen and trying new things

After each class, participants take home:

Pre-portioned ingredients
The recipe that they followed in class
The chance to practice what they learned

Along with all these wonderful benefits, every class is designed to help participants build skills they can use for life — at no cost to join.

Growing Participation and Impact

The response to Cooking Matters has been incredible! There have been 23 classes with over 245 participants, and 3 classes are currently in progress. Participants tell us they feel more confident cutting vegetables, trying new foods, and cooking with their families. Many caregivers are noticing these changes too and sharing how meaningful the experience has been.

One parent shared this heartfelt message:

“Thanks to all who are involved in the Cooking Matters classes. My son loved the classes he attended, he learned so much and has a whole new interest in cooking and eating healthily.”

Having stories like this reminds us why programs like these matter and why we’re committed to helping even more individuals build skills that support independence, joy, and healthier living. If you or a loved one is interested in attending an upcoming class, please reach out to Terry Madden, our Supported Employment Coordinator, at tmadden@sevencounties.org or call (502) 589-1100 and ask for our Developmental Disabilities Division.

Schedule Appointment

Seven Counties Services serves everyone regardless of diagnosis or insurance status. We ensure that getting started on your journey to recovery is as easy as possible. To schedule your first appointment, you can call directly or complete an online appointment request.

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