Cook & Create

Cook & Create is a project developed and delivered by freelance artists Carla Smith and Jess Wilson-Leigh. The project focuses on tackling food insecurity by equipping children with the knowledge to make informed, healthy food choices and gain life-long skills. The Cook & Create workshops are planned to provide a platform for children, allowing them space and confidence to share their ideas and gain control of their food choices.

The first round of Cook & Create workshops was funded by the Aberdeen Health and Improvement Fund and delivered in partnership with Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) in March 2024. Each session featured three key elements: cooking, eating, and creating!

Children developed essential kitchen skills while preparing the recipe of the day, followed by a shared meal where they discussed the nutritional benefits of the ingredients—and, of course, what made the meal delicious! Afterwards, the children explored a range of creative activities, with the resulting artwork illustrating a recipe book that compiled all the recipes and skills learned throughout the programme. These books were shared with participants and local community libraries, allowing more people to gain access to the information from each session.

The workshops were specifically designed for children from lower-income households, featuring low-cost, low-energy, and nutritionally rich recipes. This approach aimed to equip children with practical skills to navigate the challenges of rising food insecurity while fostering confidence and creativity around food.

Learn more about the first round of Cook & Create here: Cook & Create - CFINE.

Handwritten text saying "cook and create"
People sharing a meal with plates of flatbread, chickpeas, and a pitcher of water on a wooden table.
“I loved the concept and thought the arts and crafts portion was very beneficial as an introduction to the children to thinking about food without cooking. The children ate food they may not have tasted before, which is a very positive step in their development.”
— CFINE Staff Member
People preparing and serving tacos with various ingredients on a table, including tortillas, salsa, lettuce, and sour cream.
Child smiling and holding rice cakes over eyes, sitting at a table with kitchen in background.
Person shaping homemade gnocchi on a floured wooden cutting board in a kitchen.
Person holding red foam clay shapes resembling strawberries, with containers of green and purple foam clay on a table.
Person peeling a potato with a knife on a green cutting board.
Person using a brayer to spread yellow paint on white paper, with paint tubes and art supplies on a table.
Two people holding abstract artwork on paper; one has a red background with white smudges, the other has a blue and green background with white lines.
Two people kneading dough in a mixing bowl
Hands creating a collage with various cut-out images and text on blue paper.
People enjoying a meal with ingredients like lettuce, diced tomatoes, tortilla chips, and salsa on a table.
Person cutting paper with scissors on a table covered with magazines and papers, indicating a crafting or collage project.
Hands measuring spices with colorful measuring spoons on a kitchen counter, with various cooking ingredients in the background.

The Cook & Create recipe books are a wonderful record of the project and the beautiful work that the children made during sessions.

Each book contains the sessions' recipes and artwork, alongside some helpful cooking tips and ingredient and equipment lists.

We are excited to share a few extra copies of the book with community libraries and groups. If you want the opportunities to see the work for yourself, you can currently find it in Edinburgh Central Library, in Tactics for Togetherness’ Communal Powers Library and at Deveron Projects.

If you know of a community library or similar organisation that might like a copy, please let us know!

A hand holding a blue booklet titled "Cook and Create." The background features a pink and red poster with partially visible text.
A hand holding a card with pink cartoon animal illustrations. The card has text at the bottom reading 'Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership.' In the background, red text on a poster reads 'Build Communities.'
Person holding a booklet with colorful pages; left page in blue showing an abstract scene, right page in pink with a line drawing. In the background, a poster partially showing the words 'Build Communities.' Floral decoration on the right.

Cook & Create Round two…

We are currently developing ‘Cook & Create round two’ and as a result of this, we are on the lookout for funding to make this possible!

We saw such a wonderful impact from the first round, and we are passionate about continuing this project and providing access to these sessions for more children and families.

Please do not hesitate to contact if you, or an organisation you know would be interested in supporting future sessions of Cook & Create.

Person in an apron shaping dough on a floured countertop with a rolling pin nearby.