Culinary Connections
Culinary Connections is an innovative, immersive kitchen experience for individuals to learn culinary techniques, nutritional literacy, communication and coping skills. Through a variety of courses created for various audiences, students are better able to plan and prepare balanced meals and ultimately enhance overall health, wellness and independence.
“No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.” – Julia Child
Check out our brand new teaching kitchen in Hampton Roads, VA!
Our impact
95%
of R4I participants maintained or increased their kitchen tool and skill identification!
100%
report improvement in cooking skills and/or interest in cooking and food exploration!
100%
would recommend these courses to a friend!
Culinary Connections offers three experiential culinary arts courses and two specialized kitchen group therapy opportunities:
Multiple courses and class are offered throughout the year. Submit an inquiry for specific dates in your area!
Two Specialized Kitchen Group Therapy Opportunities
1. Culinary Arts
A collection of culinary classes for a variety of age groups and focus areas.
- Recipe for Independence
- Cooking with Friends
- Community-Based Pop Ups
- Coming Soon! Cooking Club
Recipe for Independence
An interactive skill-building course designed for adults of varying abilities to learn more independent and healthy habits in the kitchen. Topics include: cooking techniques, food diversity, healthy alternatives, kitchen safety & sanitation, and understanding recipes. Classes consist of eight sessions that last 1.5 hours each, led by a disability-informed culinary team. Each session focuses on one specific skill where participants are given multiple opportunities to practice the skill while producing a recipe they enjoy eating at the end!
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- Ages 16+
- Level 1 and Level 2 classes
- Multiple instructional techniques utilized, such as: photos & videos, modeling, task analysis, adaptive kitchen tools and so much more!
Cooking with Friends
A course for younger children to explore the kitchen, build on developmental play & communication skills and have fun in a social setting. “The kitchen is my playground” —there are no lectures or skill drills, simply a way to get comfortable with kitchen tools, tastes and techniques. We use our imaginations and practice important friendship activities for a positive food-centered experience.
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- Ages 5-9
- Four, 1 hour sessions
Community-Based Pop-Ups
Community-based, small group activities presented in partnership with other programs. These allow more individuals to participate at various locations.
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- Themed ingredients
- Nutritional literacy information
- Hands-on activities
- Food exploration
- Smoothie bike
- I want to host a Pop-Up!
Club Cuisine
A social-based, food-centric group experience for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to further explore culinary topics and skills. Each “Club Cuisine” is themed, such as: Holiday Cookies, Soups, Sushi… the possibilities are endless! This is the perfect opportunity for past students to keep learning and potential students to get a taste of our curriculum. Check your local calendar for classes available near you.
2. Culinary Wellness
A collection of culinary classes with specific targeted goals in mind
- iCook!
- Kitchen Mission
Learn more below.
iCook!
A skill-building and wellness hybrid course for foster care youth to prepare them for adulthood by pairing basic cooking skills with therapeutic coping techniques. This course is led by a licensed social worker with trauma-informed specialty skills and experience working with children in foster care.
Kitchen Mission
This culinary therapy group courses specifically tailored to skills and lifestyle stress needs such as: mindfulness, communication, connectedness, and healthy habits. Led by a licensed social worker with military and trauma-informed experience, the groups will learn techniques in a familiar setting to reduce stigma and improve intermittent practice in their home environment.
Program Overview
The goal of Culinary Connections is to teach culinary skills, nutritional literacy and overall wellness interventions that extend far beyond the classroom, leading to greater independence and quality of life for individuals with different abilities. From our flagship kitchen in the heart of Virginia Beach to our mobile instructional programming integrated inside the community, Culinary Connections is a valuable resource for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), mental health challenges, substance use disorders, foster care and military connected groups.
Eligibility
Contact
Areas Served
Online Inquiry
Culinary Connections in the News!
A Taste of Joy / VEER Magazine
February 2025
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On Your Side / WAVY.com
November 20, 2024
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Starline News Online
June 7, 2024
The VirginiaN-Pilot
April 28, 2024
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Hampton Roads Show
February 21, 2024
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Coast Live
February 25, 2026
Hampton Roads Show
February 21, 2024
Thank you to our sponsors!
Our services rely on the funds and partnerships from community organizations and supporters. We’d like to acknowledge the following for their generous support.
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- Chartway Promise Foundation
- Creative Home and Kitchen
- ECU Health
- GS-JJ
- Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund of the
Hampton Roads Community Foundation
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- Langley for Families
- NC Cooperative Extension
- New Hanover Community Endowment
- New Hanover County
- Sentara Health
Here’s what people are saying…
Follow Culinary Connections on Facebook!
Facebook Posts
☕ Today is National Coffee Day, and Thursday is International Coffee Day... which means you have TWO chances to celebrate!
Whether you're sipping a cup here at home or enjoying your favorite brew somewhere around the world, we're inviting you to join the fun.
📸 Coffee Challenge: Take a picture of your coffee, tea, or favorite morning pick-me-up and share it in the comments.
Then finish this sentence:
"I can't espresso how much I need my coffee when __________."
We'll go first: ☕ "I can't espresso how much I need my coffee when the to-do list is longer than the menu!"
Let's see your funniest answers, best coffee photos, and most creative coffee puns. Bonus points for latte-worthy pictures & tagging your favorite coffee shop! 👇😂
#NationalCoffeeDay #InternationalCoffeeDay #CantEspresso #CoffeeChallenge #BrewingConnections #CulinaryConnections ☕❤️
Our friends at Aid Another are working with Norfolk International Airport for a simulated flight experience TOMORROW evening! What a fantastic resource to ease the transition of boarding an airplane. This event has reached capacity, but get in touch with them for access to future events. KUDDOS to these organizations for making travel easier for those with disabilities and their families.✈️ Let’s Fly!
Aid Another is excited to share Norfolk International Airport’s annual practice boarding experience for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autistic individuals, and their families and support persons.
Participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with the airport journey—including check-in, security, navigating the terminal, and boarding an aircraft—in a supportive and welcoming environment.
📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
⏰ Check-in begins at 4 p.m.
📍 Norfolk International Airport
Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
Register today at FlyORF.com/Lets-Fly
Aid Another THANK YOU for inviting us to be a part of your gala. We love working with other community partners like you!
Be a part of our story.