Latest update April 28th, 2026 12:30 AM
Men trained in culinary arts for healthy living
Thirty-three men graduated on Sunday after successfully completing a course in Food and Nutrition conducted by the Carnegie School of Home Economics. The programme resulted from a collaborative effort between the school and the Men’s Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Guyana.
The main purpose of the initiative was to promote optimum health through male intervention. Dr Karen Cummings told them that “cooking, nutrition, and food security are critical issues for our nation.”
The graduating class
She encouraged them to “work together and take the steps needed to change the food environment. The chronic conditions can be prevented or modified through better lifestyles and healthier diets,” she said. “Let us fight malnutrition and obesity, improve the health and nutrition of Guyanese families, and help to encourage a love and appreciation for cooking”.
Director of Adventist Men’s Ministries in Guyana, Pastor Dennis Hamilton, initiated the venture. He said that the project was also implemented to help men understand the realities of meal preparation costs; to teach men how to plan nutrient-dense meals; and to teach them to assist their wives in preparing tasty, attractive meals.
Perhaps the fact that the group graduated on Mother’s Day was symbolic of their commitment to supporting their women folk in the culinary arts.
The programme curriculum was designed and supervised by Mrs Penelope Harris, Principal of the Carnegie School of Home Economics. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, she confessed that for her, the experience was a ‘dream come through’ since she had always dreamt of teaching an exclusively male class.
She is confident that this batch of men has been given a good start to excellence in the kitchen, but encouraged them to continue practising and exploring to develop expertise.
The course was specially tailored to meet the unique needs of the group. One of these was a vegetarian emphasis which is one of the hallmarks of Adventism. Mrs Harris said that this special course was offered as a part of an ongoing effort of her school to meet the specific needs of various entities which may desire customised training for their personnel.
The graduates were excited with their newfound knowledge, or in some cases sharpened skills. Some deemed it a privilege to have been able to attend the prestigious Carnegie. The men were reminded of their ability to make a meaningful difference.
They were encouraged to transfer their experience into improved family life, better nutrition, and better health while sharing what they had learned with their wives, girlfriends, and children.
Dr Cummings challenged them to “establish cooking schools and classes [in their communities] and give house-to-house instructions in the art of cooking wholesome foods”.
The graduation ceremony was followed by an exhibition of the various dishes the men had learned to prepare during the course.
The Men’s Ministries Director intends to conduct a similar programme again next year.
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