“When you bring food to the table, you bring dozens of cultures with it,” says Zahra, a youth worker in our CIBC Rights of Passage program who has been helping youth develop life skills through making and sharing meals together. “Cooking becomes a shared experience, opening the door to conversations, storytelling, and connection. For many youth, it’s an opportunity to share memories of home and find a sense of belonging.”
Since 2002, Zahra has helped teach youth how to plant and harvest their own ingredients and use fresh herbs and vegetables in everyday meals. Whether youth are making pesto from garden-grown basil, or drying herbs for ingredients in future recipes, Zahra’s approach helps youth understand the journey of food from garden to table, while developing life skills.
A youth recently asked Zahra to help them make Persian rice, a dish tied to their cultural heritage. As they cooked, they shared memories of family traditions and the significance of these recipes. Another youth, who wasn’t vegetarian, requested to cook a meatless meal, explaining, “This reminds me of my grandmother’s cooking back home,” where their family couldn’t always afford meat. These moments show how food connects youth to their past, their loved ones, and their cultures.
Zahra shares that many youth express pride in their cooking: “They tell me they've made this food on their own and are excited to try new recipes. They share that they’ve cooked for friends and family, and their families have enjoyed it. They feel proud of what they’ve created.