Flour Power North Hills Loves “Experienced” Chefs, Too
Get a taste of The Seasoned Chef — a new program tailored especially to seniors.
Debbie Sawyer saw such great success in the pilot program she started in August with Gigi’s Playhouse by creating classes for people with special needs, she decided to branch out even further to another untapped market. This time motivated primarily by her studio’s close proximity to The Cardinal at North Hills, a compassionate senior living center located steps from Flour Power North Hills, Debbie was inspired to reach out to the 55-year-old and up population of local cooks and bakers. She knew that this state-of-the-art continuing care retirement community offered independent and assisted living residences and was full of seniors who probably loved to cook and would be eager to learn how to prepare healthier and fun-to-make recipes.
The perfect blend of making new friends and learning new things.
After a quick brainstorming session this summer, Debbie came up with the concept and name for The Seasoned Chef. A program that focused solely on seniors in the North Hills community, it’s a social hour for those who love to cook or who may need to learn how to cook for one instead of a large family. It consisted of four classes throughout late September and into the middle of October, and it allowed participants to create lasting memories with newly made friends by cooking hand-selected recipes together in the cooking studio. Some of the delicious and enticing meal themes that were crafted with care in small groups included Mexican Fiesta, Mamma Mia, and delicious treats such as molten lava cakes. After her initial experience with this underserved market, Debbie may include the program within her ongoing rotation of culinary camps for kids during the summer and track-out periods, birthday parties, corporate events, special needs classes, and Kids Night Out.
More recipes for excitement are cooking up at Flour Power North Hills.
Debbie knows there are other markets out there that Flour Power could serve, and she’s already thinking of how she can engage with the Jewish community during the Hanukkah season. She also wants to start outreach programs by going to preschools and cooking on-site with the children. And she recently hosted an adult corporate cooking event and plans to continue with the Gigi’s Playhouse program in January. If you’d like to see a full listing of events planned at Flour Power North Hills, be sure to visit the calendar of events.
Keep in touch and don’t miss any fun!
Debbie is constantly thinking about new classes and programs to try at Flour Power, so if you have an idea you’d like to share or feedback for a class you or someone you know recently took, visit the Facebook page, call 919-889-7257, or email her at northhills@flourpowerstudios.com and share your thoughts! She’s always looking for ways to get more people into the studio, have a good time, and eat delicious food!