Getting InvolvedWho can join the Men's Kitchen?
Maybe you would just like to join a group of men who enjoy each other's company while preparing a meal.
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| Join usBeing a member - Joining the Men's Kitchen brings to you the kitchen skills development you seek and the mateship you want. Fees - The cost to belong has three components:
Applying for Membership - To apply for membership please download the application form, print and complete it. Bring the completed form to the Men's Kitchen when you come. If you don't have the printing facilities, don't sweat it, book into a cooking session and we'll look after the paperwork later. Download the Membership application form. Not on the Sydney Northern Beaches? Would you like to start up a Men's Kitchen in your area? Follow this link to check out some further information about Starting a Men's Kitchen. Old Dogs. New Tricks. Great Mates. |
VolunteeringWhen we run each Cooking Session, at which the men attending prepare a meal, we rely on two supporting roles to make it all happen:
Cooking InstructorAn energetic and experienced chef, home economics teacher or a competent home cook who knows how to mentor others and is prepared to teach older men how to follow recipes to prepare meals. We generally like to have two instructors at each cooking session to ensure that the eight to ten blokes in attendance receive enough individual attention.
Cooking Session CoordinatorSomeone prepared to manage the Cooking Sessions by opening the venue, collecting and paying monies, encouraging the men and close the venue when done.
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 | Other RolesWhen we set up each new district, a leadership team will be formed to run local operations. You may be able to assist the local team by taking on a role on that committee. The roles required in each committee are what you might expect of any club or association and include:
If you would like to be involved and feel you have value to add to the Men's Kitchen, please contact us, either locally using contact details under Where We Cook or use the contact details on this page. |
 | Our MembersIntroducing WAZZA. He's the epitome of each of us, as we are all Wazza's. When asked what did you do before you retired? Your answer is invariably: I Wazza Plumber, or I Wazza Chemist. Thank you, John Coye, for his creation. |
Member's CommentsFrom Roger W.“During my working life my cooking experiences were limited to using the BBQ. Upon retiring I made the fateful promise to learn to cook. Nothing happened until my wife saw an article in a local news magazine. This led me to join Forest Men’s Kitchen and the journey began. Since then I have become somewhat competent in the kitchen (when allowed!) and improving with each session, and competent at purchasing most ingredients. The sessions are full of laughter and camaraderie, but most importantly we are getting excellent tuition in the art of making a palatable and enjoyable meal. Everybody is most attentive and ready to absorb as much as they can. Our instructors are very patient and full of helpful ideas. The kitchen is an organisation to be recommended to all men who were in my situation. |  |
Member's Comments
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As is common these days it is the volunteers that make these communities work and I highly appreciate the experience and skills of all those involved. I have especially appreciated the efforts each of the volunteers make in creating a happy learning environment, especially their patience with some of us that are less skilled.
From John W.
ooo OOO ooo
" The instructors are they are full of knowledge on the art of cooking and have the special ability to give clear and concise instructions on HOW to make delicious meals they are genius chefs.
From John D.
ooo OOO ooo
" Like many men of my generation, my wife does the cooking and I am happy to clear up and wash the dishes. She has often told me that if anything happened to her, I would have no clue what to do.
When she found the Men’s Kitchen and made me attend the first session, I did with a little reluctance. At the very first session I mingled with men some of whom were permanent carers for their wives or widowers. I found great organisation, good company, a thoroughly professional group of instructors and helped make a meal that I thought I would be able to make myself, in time.
I’ve been back to every session since, have done one round of shopping for the group and my wife and I will be attending the Christmas get-together. The instructors are so down-to-earth and I appreciate the tips we get from Andrew on aspects like portion control, serving on warm dishes and his regular drills on knife skills and safety. The other attendees are starting to become friends, the more sessions I attend. Helen keeps everything running smoothly.
My wife is in Melbourne for a week. Last night, I would usually have boiled some eggs. Instead, I made a quiche – not the most challenging thing for many, but for me a step in the right direction.
From Bill F.
ooo OOO ooo
" Joining in the cooking sessions at Men’s Kitchen is the best thing that’s happened to John since he had his had his stroke.
He really appreciates the interaction with other blokes in a shared activity & it’s having a better effect on restoring his memory than anything else.
From Anna
ooo OOO ooo
" Beside the occasional BBQ, I did not cook. I have worked up until March this year and the cooking has always fallen to my beautiful wife.
Since starting with Men’s Kitchen, I have cooked meals for my entire family with great success. I even ventured to cooking my first baked dinner all by myself.
I have very much enjoyed the interaction with other members and of course all the instructors. I feel very comfortable and not pressured due to my limited abilities.
I’m very happy to promote the Men’s Kitchen with other male friends and look forward to reaching Michelin Chef status soon. That’s just a little joke.
From Steve M.
ooo OOO ooo
" My cooking experience is extremely limited, thanks to my wonderful wife allowing to shirk my fair share of cooking. And I haven’t pressed her into turning mealtime into a teaching session for her and a learning session for me.
Every one of the instructors I’ve had the pleasure of learning from has been particularly helpful and affirming and very willing to share their experience and expertise with free from performance anxiety which I’m sure is one of the reasons I haven’t imposed myself upon my long-suffering wife.
My wife, Jennifer sees my learning as a social outing for me from which she may ultimately, but under no expectation thereof, benefit. I am definitely going to start pulling my weight in the kitchen using the recipes provided and hopefully graduating to something approximating meals of her standard.
Their assistance in solving my lack of cooking skills is and will always be greatly appreciated.
From Marcus F.
ooo OOO ooo
" In my honest opinion, all the cooking instructors are doing an excellent job. All love to contribute to the association sharing their knowledge, skills etc and enjoy their time. They value in living ( IGKIGAI in Japanese).
From Kit W.
 | Member's CommentsFrom Jim K.“I am 83 yrs old and while I have cooked a ‘chop & 3 veg’ over the years, I am not confident in the kitchen. I met the people from the Men’s Kitchen during one of their days at the shopping centre at Forestville during 2019 and joined up on the spot. I have been now to a number of sessions and have used my new-found skills to add to my repertoire and am now a lot more confident. My wife is quite amazed at both how much better I am as a cook as well I have taken more interest in doing my fair share in the kitchen. I have recommended the course to a number of my friends in my age bracket. |
Some Other Comments Overheard
'It’s not just about the cooking.’
‘I practice the recipes we do once a week over three weeks to perfect them. Then when I get familiar with them, I feel comfortable that I can do them with less reference needed from the book.’
‘I really like all the tips the instructors give us, not just in terms of the sideline information that they have from years of cooking, but also the way they teach us things like the safe way to carry and use knives.’
‘My wife always considered the kitchen her domain. She wouldn’t let me or the kids in there. Now we share the responsibility for it. As we are getting older, she wants to know that if anything happens to her, that I can cook for her. At our age, you have to plan things like this. Some people don’t want to talk about that’.
‘I have a disability, but I don’t want to sit home and do nothing and feel like an invalid. It’s important I don’t get into that mindset. In the kitchen I feel like everyone else.’
‘The instructors make me feel safe. They are all lovely women and they build my confidence.’
‘I have now taken over the cooking at home thanks to the Men's Kitchen.’
‘I tried to get a friend to come along. He said he only eats fish and vegetables. I thought that was really sad. There’s a whole world of flavours at Men's Kitchen. And it’s about so much more than the cooking.’