Our FamilyCook team are enjoying our third year of collaboration with the Restaurant Associates division of Compass US. We continue to expand the depth and efficacy of our workforce development program for youth 18-24 known as CHEF (Culinary, Health, Education, Force). Originating from a Petrie Foundation ‘Bold Solutions’ grant award, CHEF helps stabilize unemployed youth…
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When the weather cools and apples are at their peak, there’s nothing better than a quick, cozy dessert. These baked apples are warm, spiced, and lightly sweetened—ready in just minutes. Ingredients 4 apples 1 tbsp butter 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tbsp raisins 2 tbsp packed brown sugar or 1 tbsp maple syrup 2 tablespoons…
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It’s been more than 10 years since FamilyCook Productions and BronxWorks became acquainted through our Chefs for Change, healthy bodega project! Our program offered mini grants to community organizations working with middle and high school students to use youth as change agents in bodegas to steer customers to more healthy food choices. As time went…
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Author: Lynn Fredericks, Founder and CEO August 18th, 2025 When FamilyCook embarked on developing our hands-on, food education program for young children under five years, we knew it had to be developmentally engaging. Young children have very short attention spans; you really need to work hard to get their attention. That’s how we developed the…
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Sun-soaked summer days call for meals that are light, refreshing, and packed with water-rich ingredients. Our bodies lose more water in the summer heat, making it essential to choose foods that not only nourish but also hydrate to help us stay energized. To help you beat the heat, we’ve gathered five delicious recipes below that…
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By Lynn Fredericks, Founder and CEO, FamilyCook Productions I’ve worked with adolescent youth in food education for over two decades. Like many people, I initially had my trepidations because adolescents don’t like rules and they are rarely shy when being bored or unhappy. As I began working with this age group, my own children were…
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Mercedes Sanchez, Mirella Rodriguez, Lynn Fredericks, and Mari Strand Cary By Lynn Fredericks, Founder and CEO, FamilyCook Productions SxSW was an exciting new opportunity to engage with educators across the US and identify: 1) what was on their minds and 2) the type of programming they are seeking. Although FamilyCook’s primary mission is food-related…
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This winter, our Teen Battle Chef Team at Manhattan International prepared David’s, our Youth Development Director, nutrient-packed chili recipe, and it was a hit! This recipe contains a plethora of essential vitamins and nutrients like Vitamin A, B, C, Fiber, Potassium and Iron. Stay warm this season and try it for yourself below! INGREDIENTS: 2…
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By Lynn Fredericks Our FamilyCook Teaching Kitchen offerings have remained fairly stable over the last few years, but that does not mean we can be complacent or assume that what program approaches which worked previously will continue to yield similar results. The residual effects of COVID on adolescents from missing two years of social…
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FamilyCook Productions, alongside a panel of leading experts in early education, invites educators, administrators, and nutrition advocates to a discussion on the powerful drivers of behavior change in young learners. This engaging webinar will provide insights from 20 years of research on culinary nutrition education, focusing on strategies that educators can employ today to nurture…
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