The Wakulla 4-H Cooking 4 Life Club held the inaugural meeting with 16 members ages 5 to 15. Under the guidance of Volunteer Club Leaders Joey Prestia and Jessica Smith, the students learned about basic principles of food preparation safety while working together to prepare two classic recipes – a refreshing lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons and delicious soft baked chocolate chip cookies.

Each student had the opportunity to roll and slice lemons, measure ingredients, and to make choices about how to customize their cookie recipes – with oatmeal and other tasty additions such as sweet dried cranberries.

Students learned about the history of recipe ingredients and safe preparation techniques to prevent injury and illness while working together to make their dishes.

Nominations for 4-H Club officer positions were made and students will have the opportunity to deliver brief stump speeches when the club meets again on February 26.

During each club meeting, members will have the opportunity to prepare and sample one or more dishes made by group members while supervised by Prestia and Smith. At the next meeting, students will be making fresh fruit breakfast smoothies and a fancy “kicked up” French toast.

Club leaders Prestia and Smith plan to help members learn how to make multiple meals from start to finish with an emphasis on healthy ingredients and safe kitchen skills. Members will have the opportunity to showcase their newly acquired culinary skills at upcoming 4-H events in the spring and fall.

For more information about this club or other 4-H programs, please contact 4-H Agent Rachel Pienta at r.pienta@ufl.edu or call 850-926-3931.

For other updates on 4-H activity visit our website at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/wakulla/4-h/club-meetings/ and be sure to follow us at our Facebook or Twitter.

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