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CULINARY JOURNEYS

CHEFS IN TRAINING 

Culinary Journeys Interest Form

We are excited to announce a new series of Culinary Journeys is in development with open sessions available. We strive to offer spots to those on the waitlist first. We cannot hold spots and ask you contact us at 734-657-8978 to schedule your zoom intake. 


We are excited to offer culinary programs for youth, teens and adults with disabilities, autism/neurodiversity and/or chronic health disorders and conditions. The class will provide an in-person small group (6 participants) hands-on cooking experience designed to teach basic culinary skills, food/kitchen safety and foster social skill building. Chefs-in-training will work in groups of 3 incorporating social skills, teamwork and self regulation. We look forward to partnering with parents/guardians/adults to provide all the accommodations and supports needed for a successful experience. 

Each Chefs-in-training group will be meeting for two sessions: 1st) chefs-in-training will attend a meet and greet at Exceptional Journeys 3060 Packard St., Suite B, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. We will work together as a group to get to know each other, learn about kitchen safety and group expectations for the cooking class. 2nd) Time to cook! The second meeting will be held in the commercial kitchen at Westminster Presbyterian Church 1500 Scio Church Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Chef Lilian, her two assistants and Exceptional Journeys staff/volunteers will all be on-site as we put all we are learning into action! 

Waitlist participants and new interest are welcome to apply to enroll now for the following dates: 


Spring session:


AGES 10+

May 23, 4:30-5:30PM MEET & GREET @EXCEPTIONAL JOURNEYS

May 30 4:30-6PM TIME TO COOK! @WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


Summer session:

AGES 16+:

June 20 4:30-5:30PM MEET & GREET @EXCEPTIONAL JOURNEYS

June 27,  4:30-6PM TIME TO COOK!@WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


AGES 18+

July 18th 4:30-5:30PM MEET & GREET @EXCEPTIONAL JOURNEYS

June 25th, 4:30-6PM TIME TO COOK!@WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


Late summer/fall dates TBA 


Parents/guardians/care partners are required to remain on-site for both meeting sessions. There will be a separate area for gathering and refreshments will be served during both session. CLS staff and 1:1s provided by families/consumers are welcomed/encouraged to attend the sessions with participants. If the participant needs a 1:1 or 2:1 in order attend and does not have access to support, please share detailed needs below. 


$50.00 registration fee (scholarships available upon request). Fee paid after zoom intake meeting via online payment link. We cannot offer refunds at this time. 


Occupational and Speech/Language therapists will be partnering with Culinary Journeys to provide developmentally appropriate suggestsd at-home activities designed to help the chefs-in-training build fine  motor, self-regulation, and communication skills related to the culinary program goals. 


Interested in learning more and registering? Please complete the questions below. Question? Contact us at resilienceelevated@gmail.com or 734-657-8978



Is this your first time attending?
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OUR CULINARY JOURNEYS TEAM: 

Meet Chef Lilian

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"Food has always been my passion. Already in high school, I knew that my professional path would somehow involve the preparation and enjoyment of flavorful and wholesome food. This path has included a B.A. in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from Michigan State University and an M.S. in Nutrition and Food Science from Wayne State University. My professional endeavors have included leading cooking classes at both the University of Michigan and at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, serving as a Personal Chef, becoming a Registered Dietitian, and working in the kitchens of both Zingerman's and Whole Foods locally as well as fine establishments in Washington, D.C. I am delighted to begin a culinary program in collaboration with Exceptional Journeys. My first job as a Registered Dietitian was working with the IDD community through Community Mental Health here in Ann Arbor back in the late 90’s. I’m thrilled that I have the opportunity to engage with this community again in a role that I’m passionate about. Currently,I manage Sprouting Chefs, LLC, a hands-on cooking school for kids and young adults that I founded back in 2015. My greatest passion lies in passing on my culinary skills to the next generation. Through hands-on cooking classes, participants learn about cooking techniques, food and kitchen safety, nutrition, ethnic cuisines, and about new foods & ingredients. Most of all, I hope to pass on the JOY of cooking."

Meet Johanna Mabry

Johanna Mabry, LMSW, ME.d, ATR, is a clinical social worker and art therapist. Johanna will be supporting Exceptional Journeys as a program development consultant and serve as the MSW field placement clinical supervisor for master-level social work students completing their master's in social work practicum hours at our center. Johanna brings over twenty-five years of clinical experience working with children, teens, and adults through individual, couples, family, and group therapeutic services in various settings. Johanna is a certified school social worker, psychotherapist, and consultant specializing in program development, providing neuro-affirming acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), social and executive function skills coaching, and parenting support. Her passions include disability inclusion, fostering creativity in all forms, and striving to build a daily life with her partner and three neurodiverse children rooted in resilience.

 

Johanna Mabry, LMSW, ATR Clinical Social Worker Registered Art Therapist

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