SHARE

Culinary Works Passes On Love Of Cooking To STAR Inc. Members In Stamford

STAMFORD, Conn. – Julia Deane of Culinary Works in New Canaan and Stamford hosted a cooking class Tuesday at Kitchens by Deane Inc. in Stamford for a group of individuals with developmental disabilities from STAR Inc., Lighting the Way.

Julia Deane with STAR cooking class students Robin Cichocki of Westport, Will Buckenheimer of New Canaan, Paul Pramer of Darien, Neil Reilly of Wilton, Nick Evarts of New Canaan, and Julie and Josh Williams of Norwalk.

Julia Deane with STAR cooking class students Robin Cichocki of Westport, Will Buckenheimer of New Canaan, Paul Pramer of Darien, Neil Reilly of Wilton, Nick Evarts of New Canaan, and Julie and Josh Williams of Norwalk.

Photo Credit: Megan Johnson
Paul Pramer with Julia Deane.

Paul Pramer with Julia Deane.

Photo Credit: Megan Johnson
Nick Evarts learns to sauté at the cooking class.

Nick Evarts learns to sauté at the cooking class.

Photo Credit: Megan Johnson
Julia Deane with Robin Cichocki, Josh Williams and Paul Pramer.

Julia Deane with Robin Cichocki, Josh Williams and Paul Pramer.

Photo Credit: Megan Johnson
Julia Deane with Josh Williams, Nick Evarts and Will Buckenheimer.

Julia Deane with Josh Williams, Nick Evarts and Will Buckenheimer.

Photo Credit: Megan Johnson
Peter Deane with Josh Williams.

Peter Deane with Josh Williams.

Photo Credit: Megan Johnson

The interactive cooking class and meal was the first of a four-class series. Deane is the resident chef and business owner of Culinary Works. She provides professional cooking instruction in the kitchen design showrooms at Deane Inc. in Stamford and New Canaan. Classes are intimate and interactive with seasonal menus and educational and entertaining themes to choose from, and are also available for in-home customized private parties for entertaining, corporate teambuilding, friends’ nights out and celebrations of every kind.

The cooking classes fulfill STAR’s mission and initiatives to encourage adults with developmental disabilities to become more independent, self-motivated, active and involved in their communities. Deane showed STAR participants how to prepare steak, cheesy garlic bread, broccoli and chocolate cake and proper techniques for chopping, measuring, using blenders and appliances and preparing cookware for oven use. The experience strengthened the students’ skills in team building and following directions, plus provided an enjoyable social activity that encourages service-oriented behavior and a diverse and positive food-oriented experience.

The group then enjoyed sharing the meal together. Class participants from STAR were Bjorn Swartings of New Canaan, Neil Reilly of Wilton, Paul Pramer of Darien, Nick Evarts of New Canaan, Robin Cichocki of Westport, Will Buckenheimer of New Canaan and Josh Williams of Norwalk. STAR Café Chef Matthew Fazackerley also attended. Peter Deane, co-owner of Deane, Inc., and the Deane family also participated in the class and day, sharing their friendship and time with STAR students.

“This was a very special day for our clients. Julia Deane’s expertise, generosity and willingness to share her talents and delicious food with STAR clients and supporters was so very meaningful to all of us and greatly appreciated,” said Katie Banzhaf, executive director of STAR.

STAR Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization serving individuals of all ages who have developmental disabilities and provides support to their families. 

to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE