Cooking with Corey

Corey is an intrepid young man who sets himself goals, then patiently works his way towards achieving them. Soon after moving into his flat, with support from ConneXu, Corey decided he was going to learn to cook.

He goes to cooking classes, run by Methodist City Action, twice a week and already has a delicious and impressive repertoire of dishes he can prepare. We can only envy his lucky flatmates and friends. As he has learned to prepare healthy, enjoyable food, he has also acquired practical skills that will stand him in good stead as he works towards being his own man. Helen, also supported by ConneXu, attends these classes as well.

Pies, everyone’s favourite meal, was one of the first dishes Corey learned to cook, and has gone on to cook them more than once. A versatile, satisfying meal that is famously popular in flats, particularly in Corey’s, it is also a healthy meal when prepared with fresh ingredients, as he does.

The pie-cooking lesson gave Corey an opportunity to show off another of his many skills – fire safety awareness. When a tea towel caught on an element and flared up, he shepherded everyone out to safety, well away from potential danger.

Corey has also mastered that classic breakfast favourite, Eggs Benedict. And gone on to produce more exotic dishes such as Japanese pancakes and sushi – now that is impressive!

Home-made biscuits always get eaten soon after leaving the oven, especially Corey’s, as he uses biscuit cutters to creative effect. He’s learnt to make desserts to complete the meal beautifully, as in his favourite Master Chef programme. When family friends in the United States heard of his cooking achievements, they sent him a cookbook that gave him some great ideas for dishes with a Halloween theme.

The smell of bread baking in the kitchen is always a crowd pleaser, and Corey’s flatmates particularly enjoyed the results of the bread baking lesson. Making good bread requires patience, and Corey certainly has plenty. His flatmates are not so patient and can’t wait for more of Corey’s bread to come home.