Book your group cooking class
Our private group, youth, and team-building cooking classes in Calgary are the perfect way to cook, laugh, and learn together. Led by Red Seal Chefs, our cooking classes welcome all ages and skill levels.
We hope to never be in a situation where a loved one is in a time of need, but life is unpredictable. Whether it be times of pandemic, sickness, bereavement or you are caring for someone elderly or with mobility challenges, food is not only a basic need but also a way to connect. Let’s keep our communities strong by sharing a meal or bringing groceries and a smile.
1. Get the conversation started. Contact the individual to offer help and suggest bringing them a cooked meal or freezer-ready food.
2. What types of items should you bring?
- Consider food restrictions, sensitivities, dietary preferences and nutritional requirements when planning the meal. Cookies and cakes are delicious and may be a welcome sight, but maybe what that individual really needs is a hearty pot of home-cooked chicken soup, or freshly cut veggies with a nutritious hummus or salsa.
- Include shelf stable food items to complement the item you’ve made. If you’ve made a saucy main, include items like dry pasta, rice, quinoa or barley in your care package. A bag of ready-to-eat salad mix will boost nutrition and round-out almost any meal.
- Limited skill in the kitchen? Not a problem! A container of store-bought soup and a loaf of bakery-fresh whole-grain bread is a great way to show you care.
- Consider non-food items as well. Families with babies may need a box of diapers or formula to keep them going, a new book for a toddler or puzzles and board games for older kids. Ask if they have enough drinking water if it is a concern.
3. Arrange for a drop-off time and location. Ensure the recipient has enough space to safely store food items.
4. If possible, cook, bake, cool and freeze food ahead.
- Package items in appropriate portion sizes for the recipient. Consider the recipient’s age when filling containers. Do they eat a lot or a little?
- If you’d like a container back, write your name on a piece of masking tape and put it on bottom of the container. Let the recipient know you’d like it back and arrange to pick it up at a later date.
- Label all food items with the name of the food, a use-by date, and any storage, preparation or cooking instructions. As an added bonus, and if it’s appropriate, you can write what to serve as a side (like bread, cooked pasta, rice or a salad).
5. If you are traveling far or if they are contagious, organize a food-safe delivery system.
- Pack items in insulated bags for both hot and cold items. Use freezer packs or baggies of ice if appropriate.
- For delivery, always keep in mind the food safety rule: 2 hours maximum at room temperature, keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
- Always practice safe personal and kitchen hygiene but be especially careful when making food for the elderly, young children and for someone who is sick.
- As a special touch, include your name or a note of care or concern.
Delivered with prepped veggies that are ready to steam.
Delivered with a bagged salad or prepped veggies that are ready to steam.