Cooking is an essential skill, but not everyone has had the chance to develop it. To help men improve their culinary skills and embrace healthy eating, Dhelkaya Health’s Living Well team, Dietitian Ingrid Phyland, and Community Health Nurse Jenny Miko partnered with Mahira Sobral from Castlemaine Community House to offer a unique cooking program last year.
Held at Castlemaine Community House’s commercial kitchen, the classes were led by Alex Perry, the charismatic founder and head chef of Bar Midland. With his extensive culinary expertise and engaging teaching style, Alex made learning fun and accessible.
“Alex was a patient, relaxed teacher who took time to explain each dish step-by-step, providing insightful reasoning behind every step. Participants had many questions, leading to fantastic discussions,” said Jenny.
One participant humorously shared why he signed up: “I burn water, so I thought I’d better learn how to cook.”
Together with Ingrid, Alex designed a 4-week menu focused on culinary techniques and nutritional education. Ingrid highlighted the health benefits of the dishes, offering healthy substitution options and dispelling common food myths, while Alex ensured the class was interactive and practical.
Each two-and-a-half-hour session focused on a different theme:
- Week 1: Egg preparation – scrambling, poaching, and frying – with homemade mayonnaise and egg & lettuce sandwiches.
- Week 2: ‘Fake-Away’ meals – participants made homemade burgers with balanced nutrition, replacing the need for takeaway.
- Week 3: Braising – exploring the art of creating stews with simple ingredients that yielded impressive results.
- Week 4: Desserts – a fruit crumble class where Alex encouraged creativity with new ingredients and techniques.
Throughout, the importance of fresh, high-quality ingredients was emphasised. The relaxed atmosphere fostered camaraderie, with participants enjoying both cooking and conversation. There was also a shared interest in using local, seasonal produce to enhance the dishes.
Cooking for Blokes is back!
A new series of classes begins on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, running for four weeks at Castlemaine Community House, from 10:30am to 12 noon. The cost is $35 (Full) / $25 (Concession).
To book, contact reception@cch.org.au or call 5472 4842. Come join us to learn practical skills, enjoy great food, and connect with others!
