Something superb is cooking at the Centre de Ressources Familiales du Haut St-Laurent (CRF). At its base, project 100% Gars is a simple concept: a series of cooking classes designed to improve men’s culinary skills. But what happens when men come together to learn to cook is invaluable—they better the physical and social health of themselves and their families.
The project 100% Gars was the brainchild of Judy Roe (now retired from CRF) and Sylvie Trépanier (current director) who wanted to provide cooking classes that would help men find autonomy in the household.
They particularly saw a need with the aging demographic. Many elderly men find themselves in a situation where the women of the house have been principally responsible for cooking. If these women fall ill or pass on, men find themselves in a bind—eating poorly and often dining alone. This reality is amplified in our region when many live in rural, isolated areas. The CRF wanted to find a way to bring these men together for social interaction and to give them the skills they require to maintain good health.
Now running successfully for a year and a half (with financing from CRÉ and Pacte Rural), these classes aren’t only for seniors. 100% Gars also garners participants in their 30’s and 40’s who want to learn to cook for their families. At a typical class, around 8 participants gather to make a dish to eat together, as well as prepare another meal to bring home. Sometimes the class hosts a nutritional expert or goes on a field trip. Three weekly classes take place per session at several locations throughout the area—in Huntingdon, Ormstown and Saint-Anicet.
What does the impact of men donning their chef’s hat look like? “It’s incredibly rewarding to see participants building self confidence and taking pride in their skills,” co-animator Rommy Hernandez Tenorio says. “They come back telling me how they made a meal for their family and they are so proud.” Head animator Annie Hébert also speaks enthusiastically about a participant who learned about the sugar content of soft drinks after a presentation on hidden sugars in our food. “He stopped drinking Pepsi cold turkey and lost 30 pounds,” she says, “That is a really tangible result.”
This May, a slightly different program will commence with a series of themed workshops, open to all. Workshops are to include a trip to the cider house Entre Pierre et Terre; learning BBQ techniques at Planète Terroir; preparing different types of world cuisine; learning to plate meals at restaurant Citron et Basilic; and acquiring skills such as pastry making and meat preparation.
The Centre de Ressources Familiales continually seeks support to provide affordable community programming, be it financial or in the form of expertise lectures, hosting outings, or produce donations. For more information about how to contribute, contact Karène Montpetit at [email protected]
To sign up for classes, contact Annie Hébert or Rommy Hernandez Tenorio at (450) 264-4598 or [email protected]
