Cook Up Your Future

Cook Up Your Future is a culinary education program designed for young people aged 16 to 25 with special life challenges. It aims to give them the tools they need to develop food self-sufficiency.

DPJ

environment

What is it?

For people aged 15 to 25 in the youth protection system or a similar situation
20 x 2-hour workshops, divided into 4 seasonal blocks
Simple recipes with affordable ingredients
Workshops adapted to social realities, cost of living and youth needs
Employability Block: This fifth block is offered to participants who have completed at least 3 of the 4 blocks. It provides preparatory training for work in the food service industry.
Culinary kits: Each kit contains a few basic kitchen utilities that youth can rely on to ease their transition to independent living.

Objectives

Develop young people's autonomy and healthy eating habits, especially to prepare them for independent living.
Share the pleasure of cooking/eating
Develop self-confidence and self-esteem

School

environment

What is it?

For students aged 12 to 17 with atypical educational backgrounds (special needs, special education, host class, francization program, etc.).
20 x 2-hour workshops, from October to April
Simple recipes with affordable ingredients
Workshops adapted to social realities, cost of living and young people's needs

Objectives

Develop young people's autonomy and healthy eating habits.
Share the pleasure of cooking/eating
Develop self-confidence and self-esteem

Frequently asked questions

What does La Tablée des Chefs provide?

La Tablée des Chefs provides a chef trainer to lead the workshops, the necessary teaching materials and ingredients for the recipes, as well as personalized support throughout the year.

Schools, must provide a suitable kitchen space to host the program, designate a contact person to liaise with the La Tablée des Chefs team, and select a chaperone to be on hand for each workshop.

How many participants can sign up?

Cook Up Your Future DPJ : 8 to 12 participants
Cook Up Your Future school environment : 8 to 25 participants

Do I need a fully equipped kitchen to host the program?

We recommend that you have at least 2 ovens (8 stove top elements and 4 oven racks), a refrigerated area and space to store dry goods. An inventory of basic kitchen utensils (e.g. pans, bowls, whisks, etc.) is also necessary. For a list of equipment required, please contact us.

If you don't have a suitable premises, you can ask a nearby establishment (e.g. a school or community center) with a kitchen to lend it to you for the duration of the workshops.

For Cook Up Your Future in schools, La Tablée des Chefs can help new establishments acquire kitchen equipment. Contact us to find out more about equipment loans.

Who leads the culinary workshops?

La Tablée des Chefs hires a chef trainer who is responsible for purchasing ingredients and running the weekly workshops. La Tablée des Chefs is responsible for the chef training and remuneration.

However, the school must assign at least one member of its staff to oversee the program's implementation. As well, one person must be present at each workshop to support the chef and monitor attendance, challenges and other related tasks. The workload is estimated at around 70 hours for the full year, including workshop attendance.

How much does the program cost?

Cook Up Your Future in schools: The program is valued at $12,000 per group. Since La Tablée des Chefs works with several financial partners, the annual cost for a public school is $2,250.
Please note, public schools must cover the cost incurred and therefore must offer the program free of charge to their students. It is also possible to obtain funding; find out about government support programs.

For private schools, contact us for registration details.

Cook Up Your Future DPJ : The great news is that the program is offered free of charge to youth centers!

Testimonials

It helped me learn to cook when I didn't know how to make toast. I also like being part of a team. I have friends that I made there, that I still have today!

Nicolas, former participant

The classes go beyond just learning to cook. The bond that the chef develops with the youth also makes it possible to have conversations other than about cooking. Throughout the workshops, you can see the difference when a youth begins the program, they are not sure of themselves, and slowly transforms and leaves with a smile on their face by the end of the sessions

Person in charge

Young people feel that the program is very important, because they know they'll soon be living on their own.

Chef trainer