Food

By Kelly Prew and Adam Russell
Staff Writers

Boys and Girls Club participants on Saturday spent the day in the kitchen at the center in Tyler.

Seven girls began their morning learning kitchen basics and techniques from volunteer Leigh Vickery, creator of Leigh Oliver’s all-natural foods.

“I work in the food industry,” she said. “It’s my background and my passion, and my children love it and get joy out of it. I wanted to apply that to these girls and show them what they can get out of it.”

Ms. Vickery began with a menu, constructed prior to Saturday’s class by the girls. After carefully reviewing each recipe, the girls, ages 12 to 16, began cooking.

“I had them learn basics in the kitchen and some skills they can apply at home,” Ms. Vickery said. “I also wanted to teach them how to make healthier choices and to show them it is not as hard as you think.”

Because the weekend class was the first of its sort held at the center, the girls were allowed to choose whatever menu they wanted to try, which consisted of Caribbean Cooler Punch, Ultimate Mexican Queso, Berry Salad With Madagascar Vanilla-Yogurt Dressing, Italian Chicken Alfredo, Garlic French Bread and All-American Brownie Sundaes.

At the end of the day, the girls shared their kitchen creations with their families.

Melissa Thompkins, a 16-year-old John Tyler High School student, and Nikki Mass, a 12-year-old Chapel Hill Middle School student, said they learned teamwork and the variety of choices they can make in the kitchen every day.

“We can learn how to make different things,” Miss Thompkins said. “We can try new things instead of eating the same thing everyday.”

Most of the girls discussed the amount of fast food they consume with their families. They also recognized opportunities to contribute in the household.

“I am going to cook for my grandma,” Miss Mass said. “We’ve got to learn how to cook because (some family members) aren’t going to be able to cook anymore.”

Candera Schackleford, a 14-year-old student at John Tyler, had another idea.

“We learned how to cook better so we can cook for our mommas and daddies on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day,” she said.

Looking forward to sharing their recipes with family, Miss Thompkins had something to prove.

She said her nickname is “Kitchen Burner” because in April last year she was cooking hashbrowns in the family kitchen when she got sidetracked. She smelled something burning and discovered the hashbrowns flaming up. She tried to put the fire out with water, but because it was a grease fire, things got worse. The kitchen was ruined.

“I just hope they like it,” she said.

Breasha Brown, a 13-year-old Boulter Middle School student, drew a line when it came to inviting her brother.

“I told my brother not to come,” she said. “Because he would say that it’s nasty, no matter how good it is.”

Ms. Vickery said the goal of Saturday’s exercise was to show the girls a good time, have fun and build friendships.

“We’re also teaching them etiquette skills,” she said. “I’m just so proud of them, and their parents were so proud. They all left feeling pretty confident in what they can do in the kitchen.”

Leigh Vickery (center) gives directions before a group of girls at the Boys and Girls Club start cooking Saturday in Tyler. The girls, as part of a cooking class, made dishes that included chicken alfredo, garlic french bread, queso and brownie sundaes.
((Staff Photo By Mark Roberts))