Families cook up connection at EPIC Parent Café’s Virtual Quiche Night

On Wednesday, April 23, families across the Monticello Central School District came together for a fun and flavorful evening during the EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) Parent Café’s virtual cooking class. “Chef” Jane Sorensen, EPIC Family Engagement Program Manager, led a live demonstration on how to make a spinach, mushroom, and Swiss cheese quiche.

Capone McCalla smiles for the camera in his kitchen. On the counter is the quiche he and his family baked as part of the workshop — Capone McCalla was excited to win the event’s raffle prize of an Amazon gift card — and also excited to whip up a delicious quiche with his family.

Participants followed along from the comfort of their own kitchens, guided step-by-step by Ms. Sorensen The first 20 families who registered received a free bag of ingredients, making it easy for them to join in on the cooking. The event served not only as a culinary lesson but also as an opportunity to foster family engagement and build community connections. Basic life skills like cooking, reading directions and having fun in the kitchen are important skills for everyone to master, and the event was a great way to help students and families develop these skills.

two children are standing at the stove in the middle of cooking a mother and daughter smile for the camera, holding the quiche that they baked togather.

One lucky student, Capone McCalla, took home a $25 Amazon gift card after winning the event’s raffle. He was so excited about the prize, and about the prospect of being highlighted on the district’s website and social media accounts, that he begged his mom to take him to the next EPIC workshop.