Culinary Connections

Culinary Connections

Culinary Connections is an innovative, immersive kitchen experience for individuals to learn culinary techniques, nutritional literacy, communication and coping skills. Through a variety of courses created for various audiences, students are better able to plan and prepare balanced meals and ultimately enhance overall health, wellness and independence.

“No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.” – Julia Child

Check out our brand new teaching kitchen in Hampton Roads, VA!

Our impact

95%

of R4I participants maintained or increased their kitchen tool and skill identification!

100%

report improvement in cooking skills and/or interest in cooking and food exploration!

100%

would recommend these courses to a friend!

Culinary Connections offers three experiential culinary arts courses and two specialized kitchen group therapy opportunities:

Multiple courses and class are offered throughout the year. Submit an inquiry for specific dates in your area!

Two Specialized Kitchen Group Therapy Opportunities

1. Culinary Arts

A collection of culinary classes for a variety of age groups and focus areas.

  • Recipe for Independence
  • Cooking with Friends
  • Community-Based Pop Ups
  • Coming Soon! Cooking Club

Recipe for Independence
An interactive skill-building course designed for adults of varying abilities to learn more independent and healthy habits in the kitchen. Topics include: cooking techniques, food diversity, healthy alternatives, kitchen safety & sanitation, and understanding recipes. Classes consist of eight sessions that last 1.5 hours each, led by a disability-informed culinary team. Each session focuses on one specific skill where participants are given multiple opportunities to practice the skill while producing a recipe they enjoy eating at the end!

    • Ages 16+
    • Level 1 and Level 2 classes
    • Multiple instructional techniques utilized, such as: photos & videos, modeling, task analysis, adaptive kitchen tools and so much more!

Cooking with Friends
A course for younger children to explore the kitchen, build on developmental play & communication skills and have fun in a social setting. “The kitchen is my playground” —there are no lectures or skill drills, simply a way to get comfortable with kitchen tools, tastes and techniques. We use our imaginations and practice important friendship activities for a positive food-centered experience.

    • Ages 5-9
    • Four, 1 hour sessions

Community-Based Pop-Ups
Community-based, small group activities presented in partnership with other programs. These allow more individuals to participate at various locations.

    • Themed ingredients
    • Nutritional literacy information
    • Hands-on activities
    • Food exploration
    • Smoothie bike
    • I want to host a Pop-Up!

Club Cuisine
A social-based, food-centric group experience for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to further explore culinary topics and skills. Each “Club Cuisine” is themed, such as: Holiday Cookies, Soups, Sushi… the possibilities are endless! This is the perfect opportunity for past students to keep learning and potential students to get a taste of our curriculum. Check your local calendar for classes available near you.

2. Culinary Wellness

A collection of culinary classes with specific targeted goals in mind

  • iCook!
  • Kitchen Mission

Learn more below.

Chloe baking cookies

iCook!
A skill-building and wellness hybrid course for foster care youth to prepare them for adulthood by pairing basic cooking skills with therapeutic coping techniques. This course is led by a licensed social worker with trauma-informed specialty skills and experience working with children in foster care.

Kitchen Mission
This culinary therapy group courses specifically tailored to skills and lifestyle stress needs such as: mindfulness, communication, connectedness, and healthy habits. Led by a licensed social worker with military and trauma-informed experience, the groups will learn techniques in a familiar setting to reduce stigma and improve intermittent practice in their home environment.

The goal of Culinary Connections is to teach culinary skills, nutritional literacy and overall wellness interventions that extend far beyond the classroom, leading to greater independence and quality of life for individuals with different abilities. From our flagship kitchen in the heart of Virginia Beach to our mobile instructional programming integrated inside the community, Culinary Connections is a valuable resource for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), mental health challenges, substance use disorders, foster care and military connected groups.

Culinary Connections in the News!

On Your Side / WAVY.com
November 20, 2024

Culinary Connections In the Kitchen Segment

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Starline News Online
June 7, 2024

The VirginiaN-Pilot
April 28, 2024

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Hampton Roads Show
February 21, 2024

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Thank you to our sponsors!

Our services rely on the funds and partnerships from community organizations and supporters. We’d like to acknowledge the following for their generous support.

    • Chartway Promise Foundation
    • Creative Home and Kitchen
    • ECU Health
    • Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund of the
      Hampton Roads Community Foundation
    • Langley for Families

    • NC Cooperative Extension
    • New Hanover Community Endowment
    • New Hanover County
    • Sentara Health

Culinary Connections sponsor New Hanover Community Endowment

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Culinary Connections sponsor NC Cooperative Extension

Sentara logo

Culinary Connections sponsor ECU Health

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Creative Home Kitchens logo

Here’s what people are saying…

“My favorite part about cooking class was making new friends.”

“This program has helped her a lot… She has all the confidence in the world that she can cook anything.”

“He ate blueberries?” This mom could not get her child to eat fruit, despite food therapy and other interventions, until he participated in a Culinary Connections class!

Follow Culinary Connections on Facebook!

Facebook Posts

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🌹 Love & Flavors – The Perfect Pair! 🍽️✨

Love is in the air… and so are the flavors! ❤️ This Valentine’s weekend, treat yourself and someone special to 2-for-1 tickets to Chef Fest 2025 happening Wednesday, March 12th @ Town Point Club. You’ll experience an evening of unforgettable culinary delights while supporting individuals with disabilities in your local community. 👩‍🍳🍷

🍽️ Indulge in gourmet flavors
💘 Share the love with a foodie friend
✨ Support a great cause—proceeds benefit Easterseals PORT Health’s "Culinary Connections"

📅 2-for-1 Tickets Available: Feb 14 - Feb 16
📍 Event Date: March 12, 2025 | Town Point Club, Norfolk, VA
🎟️ Tag your Valentine (or foodie BFF) and grab your tickets before this sweet deal ends! ❤️👇

bit.ly/ChefFest2025

#ChefFest2025 #ValentinesSpecial #2For1Deal #CulinaryConnections #EastersealsPORTHealth #FoodForACause #HamptonRoadsEats #EmpoweringThroughCooking #ValentinesVibes #TownPointClub #TwistedFork #OmarsCarriageHouse #Stockpot #corkandbull #WiangJiangLou #BaladiMediterraneanCafe #CPShuckers #TuluSeasideGrill #SateExperience #CookingwithGreens #TasteBakehouse #SmoresAmore #MermaidCatering
... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago

🍰 Sweet Treat Alert! 🍰

We’re excited to announce that The TASTE Bakehouse will be serving up some irresistible desserts at Chef Fest 2025! 😍✨ Indulge in delectable sweets that will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you wanting more. 🍓🍫

Not only will you be treating your taste buds, but proceeds from Chef Fest will benefit Easterseals PORT Health’s "Culinary Connections" program, empowering individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and foster care youth through culinary skills and life-changing support. 💕

📅 March 12, 2025 | 📍 Town Point Club, Norfolk, VA
🎟️ Get your tickets today and make room for dessert! Use promo code TASTEOFJOY to receive $25 off your ticket purchase.

👉 bit.ly/ChefFest2025

#ChefFest2025 #DessertLovers #SweetTooth #CulinaryConnections #FoodForACause #EastersealsPORTHealth #EmpoweringThroughCooking #NorfolkEvents #Tastethegoodlife
... See MoreSee Less

❤️ Love is in the Air… and So Are the Flavors! ❤️

This Valentine’s Day weekend, we’re serving up something special—2-for-1 tickets to Chef Fest 2025! 🍽️✨ This sale will only happen from February 14 to February 16! So mark your calendars and treat your sweetheart, bestie, or foodie partner-in-crime and indulge in an evening of double the flavors for half the price! 💕

But it’s more than just a night of culinary delights—proceeds from Chef Fest will support Easterseals PORT Health’s "Culinary Connections" program, empowering individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and youth in foster care through culinary skills training, nutritional literacy, and life-changing support in Hampton Roads. 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳❤️

📅 March 12, 2025 | 📍 Town Point Club, Norfolk, VA
🎟️ Snag your 2-for-1 tickets February 14-16 and cook up an unforgettable night—for a cause that matters!

👉 bit.ly/ChefFest2025

#ChefFest2025 #ValentinesSpecial #2For1Deal #CulinaryConnections #EastersealsPORTHealth #FoodForACause #HamptonRoadsEats #EmpoweringThroughCooking #ValentinesVibes #TownPointClub #TwistedFork #OmarsCarriageHouse #Stockpot #corkandbull #WiangJiangLou #BaladiMediterraneanCafe #CPShuckers #TuluSeasideGrill #SateExperience #CookingwithGreens #TasteBakehouse #SmoresAmore #MermaidCatering
... See MoreSee Less

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