Posted by Leighton Reid and Linda Braendel on Jun 13, 2016
Over 20 young students in the Montgomery’s Inn Culinary Arts Project (MICAP) made cookie houses in celebration of graduating from the program on May 25.  The cookie houses were of all different shapes and sizes with colourful designs and gave the kids the opportunity to practice their cooking and artistic skills while having fun and great social interaction.
 
Our Rotary Club, as part of our vision to “ignite potential in youth,” gives partial financial support to MICAP.  Kids aged 12-17, many from Etobicoke Collegiate and other local schools acquire skills in cooking, food handling, and creative presentation of food. Often these are skills that may not be learned until later in life, if at all. This hands-on experience gives them a taste of what being in the food service business would be like and could help them evaluate whether or not they would like to pursue a career in this area.
 
Luis Gomez, a student from Mexico, has been in the program for 2 years as the “Youth Mentor” where he coordinated the youth, showed them where everything is and helped with the recipes.  He has found his participation in the program helpful in integrating into the Canadian culture. He is now graduating and says: “I am very grateful for this experience.  It’s been 2 years of making new friends, having fun, and preparing food we love!”
 
The food program will start up again in the summer.
 
For more information about the Montgomery’s Inn Culinary Arts Project: