Fayette 4-H Serves Up Global Learning

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — Twelve Fayette County 4-H members traveled the globe without leaving the kitchen this fall through “Cooking Across the Continents,” a five-week culinary club that combined hands-on cooking instruction with cultural exploration.

“Cooking Across the Continents” blended culinary skill development with global education. During five weekly two-hour sessions, participants learned foundational cooking techniques while preparing authentic dishes representing countries across several continents.

“This program gave youth the opportunity to experience different cultures in a hands-on way while developing practical life skills in the kitchen,” said Cara Rhoad, 4-H & Youth Development Agent.

Each session featured a guest chef who guided participants through the preparation of a featured international dish. Guest chefs included current and former 4-H members, parents of 4-H’ers and Fayette County employees who shared both culinary expertise and cultural knowledge.

Throughout the program, youth prepared Greek meatballs with tzatziki sauce from Greece, phyllo meat pies from Egypt, sushi from Japan, salpicão and brigadeiros from Brazil, and chicken kofta from India. Alongside cooking, participants explored the history, traditions and heritage associated with each country’s cuisine.

“It was a joy to share traditional Brazilian food with the class,” said Cintia Listenbee, Fayette County’s Public Information Officer. “Each student was able to collaborate with the dish and learn about life in my home country. Sharing culture through cooking is a wonderful gift.”

Program evaluations indicated the experience made an impact on participants.

Survey results showed that all of the youth learned a new cooking skill, and many learned about cultures they had never explored before. More than half of the participants said they felt more confident cooking after being part of the club. The rest said they were already comfortable cooking before the club started.

The program’s influence extended beyond the classroom. During the fourth week of the club, one participant shared that he had already prepared the Greek meatball recipe for his family on two separate occasions, experimenting with different types of meat after learning the dish during the first session.

As interest in both culinary and international education opportunities continues to grow, Fayette County 4-H leaders hope to build on the success of the program and provide additional experiences that connect young people with new cultures, skills, and perspectives.