Curious Chefs

Burnie

Burnie Community House

Curious Chefs Program

CAPITOL SHOWCASE

Innovation in Action

Showcasing excellent community-based health and wellbeing initiatives

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Why was this program needed?

• Many Burnie residents face challenges associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, including impacts from social determinants of health.

• Reduced access to good nutrition, physical activity and social inclusion may contribute to a range of conditions, including overweight and obesity.

• However, local programs focused on community strengths provide great opportunities for improved health and wellbeing.

• The Curious Chefs Program is run by Burnie Community House (BCH) and provides nutrition education for children and families.

• The program partners with Romaine Park Primary School, Ridgley Primary School, Burnie Library and the Burnie Child and Family Learning Centre.

The Curious Chefs Program provides opportunities for families to learn recipes, cook, and share meals together, leading to improved nutrition, and better overall health and wellbeing.

• A need for greater understanding of nutrition and healthy eating of children and parents led to program development.

Curious Chefs Program goals and activities

Positive outcomes for the Burnie community

• Program goals are to develop skills and knowledge in food and health literacy, including ability to choose nutritious food, and reduce health inequity.

• Participation and engagement in the program leads to greater understanding of nutrition, healthy food, and meal preparation.

• The program consists of four areas – My Family Food Pantry, Kids in the Kitchen, No Bake, and School Holiday Program.

• My Family Food Pantry is aimed at primary school children and families. Activities involve following recipes and learning how to cook.

• Kids in the Kitchen is aimed at children in Grades 4 – 6. Activities involve making healthy breakfast and lunch.

• No Bake is designed for children under five years of age, with parents learning how to provide healthy snacks for children.

• Specifically, knowledge and skills learnt enable families to cook healthier meals in the home environment.

• Participation in the program also leads to improved communication and connection between families and the school community.

• Program involvement leads to the development of partnerships between local primary schools and community organisations.

• As more families participate in the program, this may lead to improved nutrition, greater social connection, and better health and wellbeing for the Burnie community in general.

• School Holiday Program provides activities for children and families at BCH and the nearby TasTAFE Freer Farm.

• Many activities are ‘hands on’ and after cooking, families sit together to enjoy the prepared meals.

Further information: https://utas.edu.au/health/community-programs/capitol https://burniecommunityhouse.com.au/

CAPITOL (Critical Age Periods Impacting the Trajectory of Obesogenic Lifestyles) is a community-based and community-driven project which aims to build capacity in North-West Tasmania to more effectively prevent obesity. This content was produced in collaboration with BCH and Romaine Park Primary School staff.