Cooking & Connection

A four-week culinary class in Warwick, NY — open to everyone!

Now enrolling for Fall 2026.

Cooking & Connection is a hands-on culinary class for adults 18 and over of ALL ABILITIES. Across four weekly sessions, participants will build essential cooking skills such as:

  • Kitchen safety and hygiene

  • Measuring and following recipes

  • Using kitchen tools and appliances

  • Meal planning and preparation

  • Food handling and storage

  • Cleaning and organizing

  • Independence in the kitchen

  • Table manners

Class Participants:

This program is designed for adults (18+) who:

  • Want to learn or improve cooking skills

  • Are interested in building community connections

  • Can safely participate in a group cooking environment (with or without support— caregivers or support staff are welcome)

  • Are motivated by food and cooking activities

  • Benefit from structured, predictable learning environments

  • Weekly 1.5-hour classes in small groups

  • Hands-on cooking instruction

  • Supportive, inclusive learning environment

This class is open to the public. Enrollment is open to any adult, with or without a disability. No diagnosis, referral, or prior cooking experience is required.

Participants who work with a personal assistant, job coach, family member, or other support person are welcome to bring them to class at no charge.

Class details:

  • Dates: Wednesdays, September 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026

  • Time: 12:00–1:30 PM

  • Location: Warwick Valley Community Center, 11 Hamilton Avenue, Warwick, NY 10990

  • Ages: 18 and over

  • Class size: limited to 6 participants

  • Prerequisites: none

  • Instructor: Kathleen Penland, M.S. Ed., BCBA, LBA

  • Rate: Sessions are $50 per participant, per week, or $185 for all four sessions (9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30).

This is the instructional fee. All ingredients, equipment, aprons, and printed recipe materials are provided at no additional cost. There are no registration fees, activity fees, supply fees, or add-on charges of any kind.

NOTE: Participants may want to register and come early for our Intro to Watercolor class as well, on the same Wednesdays in September, from 10:30-11:30 am. Participants are welcome to bring their own lunches to eat in between the two classes.