Youth Workshop: FRITTER your Own Story (DIY Fritter + Dip)

Get ready to chop, bake, and create! Join us for a fun, hands-on evening where we’re turning the kitchen into a "choose-your-own-adventure" studio. In this workshop, we’re mastering Fritter Your Own Story —showing you how a simple,flexible recipe can help you turn almost any random ingredients into a delicious, satisfying meal.

Whether you’re a fan of savoury veggies or looking to pack in some protein, you’ll get to build your own masterpiece.We’ll provide a reliable base batter, and then the rest is up to you! You’ll choose from a buffet-style table of ingredients to create a baked fritter that is uniquely yours. This is the ultimate "back-pocket" recipe for those days when you just need to use up whatever is left in the fridge.

We’ll focus on building confidence in the kitchen, practicing essential knife skills together, and chatting about how to make easy, customizable meals that fit your budget. Bring your appetite and your creativity for a night of skill-building and great food!

Date: Wednesday, February 25

Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM, workshop begins at 6:00 PM

Location: Growing Chefs Headquarters, London, Ontario – https://www.growingchefs.ca

Target Audience: This workshop is for youth aged 12 to 25.

This beginner-friendly workshop is all about creativity, individuality, and tasty food — no cooking experience needed!

In this workshop, you will:

• Icebreakers & Fritter Fun: Kick off the night by getting to know each other and chatting about the "magic" of flexible recipes—and how they help us reduce food waste while eating well!
• The Fritter Foundation: Learn a versatile base batter recipe that is perfect for baking and easy to replicate at home.
• Knife Skills 101: Work as a group to master slicing and finely chopping your chosen ingredients safely and efficiently.
• Customise Your Creation: Visit our ingredient buffet to select your own mix of proteins and vegetables to fold into your batter.
• The Big Bake: Shape your fritters by hand and bake them to golden perfection.
• Dip & Decorate: While the oven does the work, you'll whip up a custom dipping sauce using yogurt and spices to perfectly pair with your fritters.
• Dig In & Reflect: Share the meal you helped prepare with the group, compare different flavour combinations, and head home with a full stomach and new skills.

What you’ll need:

• Your appetite and enthusiasm!
• All ingredients, tools, and materials are provided.
• Bring a container if you want to take home leftovers.
• Closed-toe shoes appropriate for indoors (please change out of winter boots to help keep our space clean and safe).
• A hair tie or clip to secure long hair during food preparation.
• Bringing a friend, sibling, or support person? Awesome — just let us know when you register so we can plan ahead.

This workshop is completely FREE! However, any donations made at checkout are appreciated and go directly towards funding future workshops.

RSVP through the Dandelion Event Page. Questions or need to update your RSVP? Email us at lcrc@lcrc.on.ca. If your plans change, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist!

We’re committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone. Let us know if you require accommodations to participate fully.

Accessibility:

Step-free entrance (no automatic door). Main bathroom upstairs; a staff bathroom on the main floor is available if needed (note: narrow walkway). Staff will assist as needed to ensure participants can access the space comfortably.

About Growing Chefs Ontario:

Growing Chefs Ontario is a non-profit connecting kids and youth with fresh, healthy food through hands-on culinary education. Their professional kitchen spaces give youth a safe, engaging place to explore cooking, nutrition, and teamwork. For this workshop, we’re excited to be borrowing their space! Learn more at https://growingchefsontario.ca

About YWHO:

Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is a nonprofit initiative supporting youth aged 12 to 25 and their families by providing the right services at the right time and place. Services include mental health and substance use support, primary care, education/employment assistance, peer support, and more. YWHO also helps connect youth to workshops like this one. Learn more at https://youthhubs.ca

About Grow Cook Learn:

Grow Cook Learn is a project of the London Community Resource Centre (LCRC), building community through food literacy and food security while promoting health and wellness for all. Learn more at https://lcrc.on.ca

Disclaimers:

• Ingredient availability may vary.
• Allergen Note: Please be aware that these recipes contain gluten and dairy. Participants who require specific food accommodations or preferences are encouraged to let us know when they register so we can best support your needs.
• Group Sharing: Participants will working at shared ingredient stations to create their own fritter batter, participants will share baking trays, labeling with a marker onto parchment paper.
• Attendance Policy: To ensure a quality experience for all, please plan to attend the entire session. Arriving late will result in missing the introductions and vital nutrition information, while leaving early may result in your recipes not being completed.
• Email Subscription: Signing up for this workshop automatically adds you to our workshop invitation email list. We send updates on future Youth Workshops. You can request to unsubscribe at any time.