Students Sharpen Life Skills and Confidence Through Hands-On Cooking Classes
Each summer, SWEP students gain hands-on experience in the agency Training Center's teaching kitchen, where they develop essential cooking and food preparation skills. With guidance from OCB instructors Ella Browning and Char Cook—and adaptive tools provided by The Blind Kitchen—students who complete the program leave with practical knowledge, favorite recipes, and greater confidence in the kitchen.
Cooking is more than a skill; it is a way to connect. Gathering around a table to share a meal is a universal experience, and learning to prepare food for oneself and others is a meaningful step toward independence.
First-year student Em Underwood shared: “I really strengthened my skills in cleaning and cooking. Cooking was something that I really like to do—I like to eat. And it was so fun to learn how to spatchcock a chicken, to learn how to make tofu. It was very impactful for me.”
Third-year student and SWEP Emerging Leaders “Student of the Year,” Andrew Kobus, added: “Even with all the cooking and cleaning skills I learned in the previous two years, there were still more skills I really wanted to try out. For example, learning how to shave for the first time, or baking. I had never done that independently before this year.”
Instructor Ella Browning reflected: “Cooking allows for connection and building community. This is true for many cultures. Sharing food is a way of sharing love.” Through these classes, students gain more than culinary skills—they build confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.