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Gordon Head Rec Centre cooks up classes for seniors

West Coast Favourites will be served up at Tuesday's class at Gordon Head Recreation Centre
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Elizabeth Coey cooks during Saanich’s Social Cooking Classes for seniors.

Saanich resident Elizabeth Coey is so happy with the Social Cooking classes at Gordon Head Recreation Centre she can’t help but wonder if more people would enjoy it.

The classes are geared towards adults aged 55 and older and use cooking to touch on the issue of social isolation and other challenges that older adults can face in our community.

“Participants cook with each other, meet new folks, and get their hands dirty through the cooking aspect as it’s all about sharing the jobs and learning something on the way,” said Chris Filler, Saanich recreation programmer.

“We’ve actually heard back from some male participants that are in the position where they’re having to cook their own food for the first time in a long time, and it’s a chance to connect with other older adults.”

Coey herself was a little skeptical of her abilities in her first class but was pleasantly surprised to learn that participants pair up with someone who wants to prepare the same recipe.

“Every class has a theme and the recipes reflect that theme,” Coey said. “It’s a cooking program for seniors and offers good advice on nutrition, healthy eating and fun.”

Next up in Gordon Head is Tuesday’s (Oct. 6) West Coast Favourites.

“Just bring an apron and an open mind. By the end we are sitting down to a meal we have all prepared with a cup of tea and a chat,” Coey said.

The cost is kept to $10 per class thanks to the donation of the food by Country Grocer.

Gordon Head recently renovated its kitchen. The fall Social Cooking classes run 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 6, Oct. 27 (Lovely Legumes), Nov. 17 (Mildly Mexican) and Dec. 8 (Local Winter Bounty). Social Cooking classes are also offered at George Pearkes Rec. Centre this fall, from 3 to 5 p.m., on Oct. 9 (Holiday Classics), Oct. 30 (On a Budget), Nov. 20 (Italian) and Dec. 11 (Hints of the Holidays).

See Saanich’s Active Living Guide at saanich.ca to register.

Classes are kept to 10 people but some, including this Tuesday’s class, only have a few registrants so far.