Teen Cuisine
If you knew Kevin Carpenter, you were a blessed individual! That man was larger than life and fun!! He loved cooking and loved people. Unfortunately,
we lost Kevin on January 29, 2015, but his passion for life and food lives on in his dream of teaching people how to cook and have fun doing it! After
Kevin passed, such was his persona that people got together to begin a program in his honor. A.J. Baker (partner in crime at Sundae Café and life)
wanted to continue his legacy and Teen Cuisine is now a huge thing! Let me give you the scoop.
Teen Cuisine is a program run through the YMCA (so non-profit, tax deductible, etc.) that provides cooking lessons to 12 lucky kids (ages 12 to 17)
at no cost to them. Top of the line Tybee chefs teach these kids the basic necessities of cooking. When I say ‘Top of the line,’ I’m talking A.J. himself,
Matt Pearson (IGA Meat God), Jodee Sadowsky (Breakfast Club, y’all!), Eric and Heather Thomas (Huc-A-Poos clan), and Danny Rapposelli (let’s
throw it all together and make it fabulous)! So, serious stuff. The very first class is all about knife skills and sanitation. That sounds like the way to start
a cooking career right there! Each class is a new food discovery - from sushi to real Southern cooking, the kids learn how by experts.
The classes are free to 12 kids and the way that is made possible is mostly through the Bar Olympics. Held every March, the Bar Olympics have
become a must see, get on a team, be a part of extravaganza of an island party that is huge fun and raises the money for such a good cause and a
dream. In 2018, the Bar Olympics raised $15,500!!! WOW!!! Money raised from this event has also provided the Y with all new kitchen equipment, as
well as providing money for scholarships to excellent cooking candidates.
Trust me. These 12 spots fill up in an instant! Teen Cuisine starts in September and runs for 10 weeks every Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00pm, so you
want to get your kid in now! Stop by the YMCA to get more information on exact dates and times. While you’re there, check out the Y’s other programs
for not only kids, but adults as well. There is always something going on at the Y and it is fun for the whole family!
If you have money you don’t know what to do with, please donate to this good cause. Donations may be made to: The Friends of Kevin Carpenter,
PO Box 903, Tybee Island, GA 31328, or in person by inquiring at Sundae Cafe, 80 East, or The Cafe On 80.
There is a kid out there that may be the next Gordon Ramsey or the next Emeril Lagasse! We all gotta eat! Food is fun!
10 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | AUG 2019
By Alaina Loughridge