Frypan Warriors cooking program teaches valuable skills

The Bathurst Uniting Support Services (BUSS) has been running a cooking program for disadvantaged people, introducing them to meals they can make in an electric frying pan that are affordable, tasty and nutritious.

BUSS provides the electric frying pans and the ingredients for the program, inviting participants to come and cook with them each Monday.

They then get to take the meals home that night for their dinner.

BUSS coordinator Julie Fry said the number of participants varies week to week, but the feedback has been great.

They are enjoying it so much that they are now sharing their own recipes and teaching each other how to make the dishes themselves.

"It's now expanded. One of them takes the lead each week and shows people how to cook something else in the frying pan and I just think that's a brilliant evolution for the program," Ms Fry said.

"It's become driven by the people coming themselves."

The people who participate in the program often don't have access to a full kitchen equipped with every appliance and utensil, so being able to prepare a full meal in an electric frying pan is an invaluable skill.

"The importance of showing you can go and buy fresh food and turn it into a meal, rather than having to buy pre-prepared food, I think is essential," Ms Fry said.

"Being able to do it in a frying pan means that it doesn't actually matter what their living conditions are at the moment. If they're in temporary accommodation, in motels, or in a place without a working stove, a frying pan is not dear to buy and anyone can get it and use it as their cooking appliance."

In addition to cooking, the program fosters social connections between the participants and BUSS volunteers and gives participants an opportunity to shine when they lead a class.

The Frypan Warrior cooking class is offered to participants free of a charge.

If anyone is interested in helping to financially support the program, contact BUSS via buss2795@gmail.com.

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