AngelFISH Kitchen launches cooking classes
FISH of Sanibel-Captiva recently kicked off the AngelFISH Kitchen project with its first senior cooking class, followed by a family class — a new effort centered on healthy, simple meals at home.
It is a project of the AngelFISH Society, a philanthropic group of women who combine friendship, education and collective giving to support meaningful work in the community. Guided by the AngelFISH Committee and chaired by Linda Uhler, the group pools its annual contributions to fund a project that addresses urgent local needs, while also strengthening the FISH Foundation.
This year’s focus is on healthy eating, which will be accomplished by providing air fryer ovens to local seniors and families, along with nutrition classes that teach participants how to use the appliance. The goal is to help neighbors prepare healthy, budget-friendly meals at home, without feeling overwhelmed.
Led by Lee Health dietician Maggie Hurd, the classes are designed to be welcoming and easy to follow. Participants learn tips for healthy eating, watch live cooking demonstrations using the new air fryer/convection oven, discover simple recipes that help stretch a grocery budget and receive ingredients — in a custom-designed AngelFISH Kitchen canvas tote — to recreate the meals at home.
“The response was overwhelmingly positive,” Uhler said. “There were lots of good questions and interaction with Salli Kirkland, who demonstrated use of the appliance, and Maggie Hurd about food and the air fryer/oven. I think we helped to open the door for more healthy cooking at home.”
FISH noted that beyond the recipes, the classes are about building confidence. Many seniors are cooking for one. Many families are juggling work, school and rising grocery costs. The air fryer oven offers a simple way to prepare fresh meals, without multiple pots and pans or complicated steps.
The series was set to continue with classes for seniors on select Thursdays at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church and classes for families on select Saturdays at the Sanibel Community Church. FISH and the AngelFISH Society thanked both venues for providing space for the program.