Advanced Cooking Series – Wednesdays in June

(4‑week hands‑on culinary class, 6:00–8:00 pm)

Dates: June 3, 10, 17, 24

Menu:

Week 1 – Stuffed Spinach & Ricotta Pasta with Caesar Salad (GF option available)

Students will prepare stuffed pasta filled with spinach and ricotta alongside a classic Caesar salad while learning foundational knife skills, and flavor balancing.

Week 2 – Curry Buddha Bowl (GF)

This vibrant gluten-free class combines roasted vegetables, grains, and a flavorful curry sauce to teach students how to build nourishing and well-balanced meals packed with texture and color.

Week 3 – Burritos with Cilantro Lime Slaw (GF)

Students will create customizable gluten-free burritos paired with fresh cilantro lime slaw while exploring seasoning, meal assembly, and fresh flavor combinations.

Week 4 – GF Brownie Sundaes (GF)

End the series on a sweet note as students bake rich gluten-free brownies and build decadent sundae creations with ice cream, sauces, and fruit toppings.

Funded through a Calgary Foundation grant

Delivered in partnership with FoodImpact

All classes are led by Sydney Weipert, Jamie Gervais and Sara Waqas. Sydney has a culinary arts diploma from SAIT with over a decade experience working with Downs youth.  Jamie has a B.Sc. in Nutrition and Food Science, M.A in Transdisciplinary research, 15 years as a social entrepreneur educating over 89,000 children about food literacy and critical media literacy, three years as a culinary instructor and 15 years experience in education and curriculum design. Sara has two years experience working with youth with Down syndrome, and as a culinary assistant. Sara also has extensive training as a researcher at the University of Calgary Neuroscience lab, known for her innovation in treating cognitive disorders.

 

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Calgary Foundation, whose grant allows Ups and Downs to offer high‑quality cooking education for our community.

Participants can attend on their own! The classes are structured for independent learning, but families may choose to send an aide if that works best for them.

Reminder:  If you or a family member has Down syndrome and are a member of Ups and Downs, you qualify for Ups and Downs Subsidy Program which can be used towards this event. Please email us if you would like to use the program.


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