Learning to cook – learning to love

In addition to learning to cook simple family meals, the children are also trained in skills such as caring for family meals, helping each other, and sharing with one another in life.

In early July 2024, the cooking class at the 8/3 Women's Employment Service Center in Hai Duong concluded its final session. Amidst the joy of the participants, the teachers at the Center also received many thank-you messages from parents.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Chung, Head of Administration at the Center, said: “In recent years, recognizing the needs of parents, we and many organizations and associations in Hai Duong province have organized summer classes suitable for children of various ages (from 7 to 17 years old), with diverse content such as: vocal music, painting, dance, chess, table tennis, football, basketball, martial arts, cooking, etc.”

The cooking classes have approximately 20-24 students per class, with a tuition fee of 1.2 million VND per student. Each class lasts for 8 sessions, during which students are taught to cook 16 to 18 simple dishes suitable for family meals.

"We teach the children how to cut, trim, slice, and marinate vegetables before cooking. After they've finished the dish, they'll enjoy it with their friends, a meal they've made themselves," Ms. Chung shared.

In fact, many parents who enroll their children in the cooking classes at the Center express that they hope their children will learn basic culinary skills from the instructors. For example, in the first lesson, the children are guided on how to use knives, cut and trim vegetables, make sushi rolls, chicken with shiitake mushroom sauce, etc.

The children were guided in practicing how to cook simple family meals.

During cooking classes, students have the opportunity to be creative in preparing simple family dishes and learn how to present food more attractively. Before the end of the class, teachers will guide them on how to wash dishes, clean the kitchen, and tidy up the equipment in the practice room.

This is the fourth year that the 8/3 Employment Service Center – Hai Duong Women's Association has organized cooking classes during the summer break for teenagers in the province. What's special is that the cooking classes attract not only girls but also boys. In one family with two sons, the parents enrolled both brothers in the cooking class.

“Since the beginning of June, we have organized three cooking classes. We plan to hold about four to five cooking classes this summer. Besides learning to cook simple family meals, the children also develop skills in preparing family meals, helping each other, and sharing in life,” said Ms. Nguyen Thanh Chung, Head of Administration at the Center.

According to Ms. Chung, in addition to cooking classes, during this summer vacation, parents can also enroll their children in the "Military Semester" organized by the Hai Duong Provincial Youth Union or learn sports at the Hai Duong Gymnasium.

"Any summer course is fun, but parents need to choose courses that suit their children's age and interests, helping them have a beneficial and meaningful summer," Ms. Chung shared.