Kids Cooking Classes with Chef Cat Clarke – Isolation Chronicles

With all the physical distancing restrictions, it is easy to feel isolated and lonely. However, there are so many opportunities to connect, especially online. Over the last year, I have become “Instagram Friends” with Cat Clarke. In other words, we haven’t actually met in person, but we comment regularly on each other’s posts and send direct messages. When I discovered Cat was running kids cooking classes, via Instagram Live, I jumped at the opportunity.

• 

We live on a farm in the Grampians Region (Western Victoria). Before the Covid-19 situation, I would never have considered enrolling my children in cooking classes. My girls are 3 and 4 and it is an effort driving the 2 hour round trip to the closest regional city. I struggle to do essential tasks with the children, let alone take them to town for a cooking class.

• 

Chef Cat Clarke

Cat is passionate about building relationships through food. Currently based in Cairns, Cat returned home temporarily to Dimboola Victoria, to isolate with her Son, Mother and Step Dad. Cat came up with the idea to run the online kids cooking classes with her son Paddy, to give them a chance to cook together and “to make some laughter and sunshine for these uncertain days”.

• 

The recipes

The night before class, Cat posts the ingredients on Instagram to allow everyone to have their equipment and ingredients ready. She consciously selects recipes that use staples from the pantry, ISO baking is all about adapting. If you don’t have a particular ingredient, you can send Cat a message and she will give you a substitute. Adults must supervise and the kids are strongly encouraged to clean up after themselves.

• 

• 

• 

After each class, Cat uploads the videos to YouTube. She links to it from her Chef Teacher Cat Clarke Instagram account. This is handy, if for instance, someone missed the Live session or if they want to do it again with the children at a later date.

• 

• 

The range of recipes has suited all taste buds from Pizza scrolls, pancakes and salt bush damper to Nasi Goreng and classic tea cake. The Easter themed baking appealed to the sweet tooths.

• 

• 

• 

online Community and Connection

After the cooking class people from the Grampians region and all over Australia have been posting photos of the finished product. The smiles on the children’s faces says it all. They are so proud of themselves and the finished products look delicious.

• 

• 

My girls look forward to putting on their aprons and learning new techniques. They enjoy trying out different recipes and taste testing. Above all, they love licking the spoon and the bowl!

• 

• 

When I announced Cat was baking a tea cake with us, my youngest daughter requested our tea cake be made into the shape of the number three. Her birthday was months ago, so normally I would say no, however given these uncertain times, I decided it is never too late to have another celebration. My parents didn’t get the chance to see my daughter on her actual birthday, so while they were isolating with us on the farm, we had a little party.

• 

• 

• 

If this situation has taught me anything, it is that we don’t need to be with each other to be together. The kids cooking classes with Chef Cat Clarke provided an opportunity to learn new skills and enjoy family connection. In addition, it gave us the chance to interact with people on social media, have some fun and structure in our day. Getting back to basics, spending time in the kitchen and valuing human connections are just some of the silver linings to come out of this pandemic.

• 

• 

For more examples of silver linings and acts of kindness in the Grampians Region, visit the Grampians Eats webpage or Grampians Eats Instagram Account.