<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>341255</docID> <postdate>2025-03-27 19:15:42</postdate> <headline>Men’s cooking class teaches ‘old dogs new tricks’</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-341256" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mens-kitchen-e1743063294950.jpg" alt="" width="1100" height="733" /></p> <caption>Men's Kitchen… “I’ve seen men who don’t know how to cut an onion,†says district manager Don White.</caption> <p><b>Tackling kitchen skills, food preparation and nutritional knowledge, district manager Don White says Men’s Kitchen is the best opportunity for men over 60 to learn valuable skills and recharge their social batteries. </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve seen men who don’t know how to cut an onion,†says Don. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I even had to tell one man to take the brown stuff off the top first before cutting.â€Â </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many men over the age of 60 have hardly stepped foot into the kitchen outside of grabbing something from the fridge to eat. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Traditionally a “women’s placeâ€, new widowers, carers or those finding themselves alone for the first time may struggle with the fundamentals of cooking. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is where Don can help. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Retiring 18 months ago, Don was inspired by work done by the Men’s Kitchen organisation in Sydney and, alongside association president Peter Watson, helped start up their own ACT branch at the beginning of 2024. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An instant success, the organisation runs two kitchens in Canberra, Woden and Curtin, and are opening a third kitchen in Hawker on May 8 to cater to the northside. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Rotary Club of Hall and the Rotary Club of Ginninderra, another group of men will soon be donning their aprons,†says Don. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Christ Church in Hawker will open its doors for a new batch of men to learn how to cook and prepare (as well as eat!) a full meal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The three-hour sessions, hosted twice a month, are open to 20 men. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We start by chatting about the day’s menu and looking at the different tasks,†says Don.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Usually, it’s a great chance for the men to have a good chat and catch up, too.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following this, the men break into groups, tackling each task while watching a live demonstration from an instructor. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s not just a chance to cook,†says Don.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a valuable opportunity to socialise.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“One fellow that I pick up from a home now has regular coffee catch ups with the men he meets at our sessions.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don says watching the program’s success has been a “gratifying experienceâ€.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s such a welcoming environment to be in, and they keep coming back!â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Don, one of the hardest things he has had to witness is the decline in men’s nutritional intake after the loss of a partner, often resulting in the decision to move into a home to be catered for. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This program gives them their autonomy back,†he says. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Many men even go home and show their families what they’ve learnt, or cook for their wives.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Hearing things such as ‘wow, I can actually do things’ has been the most enjoyable thing.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The meal, consisting of a salad or side meal, a main and a dessert is taught by a selection of instructors from all walks of life. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The dessert usually includes ice cream, because the men love it,†says Don.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First timers come free to test the waters and are given a green apron upon entering the kitchen. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On their second time, the men are gifted a cookbook from a head chef in Sydney and their own apron. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The presentation is a huge hit with the men,†says Don. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We have had instructors, both professional chefs and home cooks from early 30s all the way to their 80s teach the men.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Currently on the search for some more volunteers to offer up their expertise, Don says the role provides a huge level of fulfillment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You get to see the men working together as they learn kitchen skills,†he says. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are teaching old dogs new tricks. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s more than just a cooking class.â€</span></p> <p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anyone interested in participating in the classes or volunteering as an instructor, at either Hawker or Curtin, should contact Do</span></i><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">n at </span></i><a href="mailto:info.cn@menskitchen.org.au"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">info.cn@menskitchen.org.au</span></i></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or call 0456 408003.</span></i></p> </body>