Cooking Around the World With Mini Chefs

As savoury scents travel down the halls at Mission Services’ Wentworth location, curious staff members poke their heads into the community kitchen to see what’s cooking.

“I could smell it at my desk, and it smelled so amazing that I had to check it out,” said Michelle, a harm reduction worker.

This week, it’s romazava, the national dish of Madagascar. Traditionally served over rice, romazava is a beef and chicken stew with tomatoes, onions and leafy greens. It’s a dish steeped in tradition and community, and is a staple of the Malagasy culture.

“We’re cooking around the world,” said Adalia, Coordinator of The 196 program. “At the beginning of the year, the kids picked 25 countries, put their names in a box, and each week we draw one. Once we’ve pulled a country, we research its foods and find either a popular cultural dish or their national dish and then we make it.”

What is The 196?

The 196 is an after school program for youth in Grades 6-8, providing them with a safe environment to go after school, as well as food support and academic support. It aims to empower youth in their social skills and mental health as well as encourage them to pursue post secondary education. The program is mostly comprised of youth who reside in the same neighbourhood as Mission Services.

How Can You Support The 196?

You can help The 196 and have an impact on Hamilton's future by becoming a monthly donor. You can ensure that youth have access to nutritious food and opportunities for the future through social and educational programming. Call 905-528-4211 ext 3113 for more information.

Mini Chefs is a program that is part of The 196 After-School Youth Program. It focuses on broadening the participants’ horizons, as well as helping them learn essential cooking techniques and skills that will help them later in life. Tasks are divided up amongst the kids each week, with some chopping and dicing vegetables, while others measure and stir ingredients. After the cooking is all finished, the kids sit down to enjoy the meal together.

“It’s a sense of ownership,” said Adalia. “It gives the kids the confidence to know that they can cook good food, and then they can say ‘Hey, I made this, and it’s really good.’”

“There are a lot of times where they may be a little hesitant to try something new, but because they put the work in, they want to know how it turned out. Then they find out they really like it.”

Hailey’s role this week was stirring and seasoning the romazava as it simmered. As one of the older kids, she’s a bit more advanced in her cooking skills, but she credits Mini Chefs with introducing her to new cultures and cuisines.

“I’ve learned that there are many different tastes and flavours around the world, and you shouldn’t judge it based on your palate. I knew how to cook a little bit before I started, but now I try to come up with dishes on my own at home. Mini Chefs has taught me to be willing to try new things.”

After they prepare each week’s dish, they pin a note to the country on the map outside their activity room. So far this year, they’ve covered eight countries, ranging from the Philippines to Nigeria to Argentina.

“The kids favourite was haluhalo, a Filipino dessert made from crushed ice and evaporated milk. We didn’t hear any complaints about that one,” Adalia laughed. “What will we cook next week? We’ll see what comes out of the box!”

The youth programs are funded from donations from supporters like you, as well as by grants from Hamilton Community Foundation: ABACUS Program, the City of Hamilton City Enrichment Fund, Mischa Weisz Foundation, TC Energy, The Alice and Murray Maitland Foundation, The Children's Fund, and the Gordon and Ruth Gooder Charitable Foundation!