Healthy Options for Teens

At each monthly meeting, the Park & Recreation Commission recognizes those who have volunteered their time and talents to help with projects related to the Parks & Recreation Department. On June 23, the Commission recognized Chef Ian Trenwith for his support and guidance in the Healthy Options for Teens Culinary Arts Program.

The Neighborhood and Outreach Service Section of the Parks & Recreation Department received a grant from the Orfalea Foundation through the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Teen After-School Scholarship Program to offer a Healthy Options for Teens program (HOT). Staff approached Chef Trenwith with a proposal for a Teen Culinary Arts Program to be one part of the many other HOT program activities. He enthusiastically embraced the idea and contributed his equipment inventory and personal resources from Jolly Brothers Catering in support of the program.

In the 17-week curriculum, the teens learned healthy ways to cook, were exposed to the culinary arts profession, and contributed to several community service projects. They learned ways to prepare healthy foods, bake bread, make pies, decorate cakes, create fancy napkin folds, set tables, do floral arrangements, and other skills of the trade. They toured the SBCC Culinary Arts Program, attended lectures on job possibilities in many occupational settings such as in cruise ships, restaurants, and health food stores, among others.

The program participants provided a VIP Luncheon in the spring and at graduation, a dinner for their families. The teens also provided the appetizers on the Condor Express for the PARC Foundation fundraiser for summer camp scholarships. The donors were especially impressed with the poise, professionalism, and pride of the teens. Chef Trenwith’s culinary knowledge was instrumental in instructing participants in the profession.

The Parks and Recreation Department recognized the generosity of Chef Ian Trenwith. His contribution and generosity to the youth are greatly appreciated. The teens will always remember his humor, great stories, and talent.