An afternoon of baking sparks a new opportunity for young chefs at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.
Sometimes, discovering a new passion starts with something as simple as baking a batch of pumpkin muffins.
That’s exactly what happened at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich when a small group of middle school members joined Kitchen Manager Lissette Carbajal and after-school staff member Isaiah for a hands-on baking experience in the professional kitchen at the renovated Rebecca S. Breed Clubhouse.
The young bakers, many of whom shared that they already enjoy cooking at home, were eager to tackle a multi-step recipe and learn new techniques. Working together, they measured ingredients, followed directions, and discovered the satisfaction of creating something from scratch.
The enthusiasm was unmistakable. When one participant’s mother arrived to pick her up, the young baker was so invested in her work that she asked if she could stay a little longer to finish the class. Her mother agreed.
Along the way, Lissette emphasized that being a good cook involves more than following a recipe. By modeling how to clean and organize the workspace throughout the process, she introduced important habits that help young chefs work safely, responsibly, and confidently in the kitchen.
And the finished product? Delicious pumpkin muffins that were shared with fellow Club members as an after-school snack.
From One Afternoon to a New Opportunity
The activity was such a hit that BGCG decided to expand the experience, launching Lissette’s Tasty Baking Class, a six-week program that gives middle school members even more opportunities to explore the culinary arts.
The hands-on series features seasonal favorites, including apple pies, muffins, holiday cookies, banana bread, and candy apples. Participants work together, practice kitchen safety, and enjoy the rewards of their efforts. Best of all, they get to taste what they’ve made and take home the recipes to share with their families.
“There’s something really special about sharing my love of cooking and baking with the next generation,” said Lissette Carbajal, BGCG’s Kitchen Manager. “I love seeing how excited the kids get when they learn something new and realize what they can create themselves.”
The program is one example of how BGCG’s Clubhouse is opening doors to new experiences. The addition of a professional kitchen has created a space where members can explore their interests, develop practical skills, and discover talents they may not have known they had.
At Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, opportunity can take many forms. Sometimes, it starts with a basketball, a paintbrush, or a science experiment. And sometimes, it starts with a mixing bowl and a batch of pumpkin muffins.
