Cooking class blends food, conversations and healing
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday March 18, 2026 06:00
The class, held as part of an ongoing culinary tour by Chellz Kitchen, invited three aspiring cooks to take part in a hands-on session supported by Hindz products. Participants prepared an Indian-inspired dish consisting of chicken curry served with basmati rice.
Organisers said the initiative is designed to reach different groups through cooking sessions that combine food preparation with discussions around everyday experiences. The sessions are also intended to create a relaxed environment where participants can learn practical cooking skills while interacting with others.
During the session, participants were guided through the process of preparing the meal step by step, beginning with the preparation of ingredients and moving through the stages of seasoning, cooking and plating. Conversations flowed naturally as the group worked together in the kitchen, with participants sharing personal experiences and thoughts about food and life.
The dish prepared during the class was chicken curry, a staple in many Indian households and a meal known for its rich combination of spices and flavour. Participants learned how to balance spices and control heat levels to achieve the desired taste and consistency.
While the focus of the session remained on cooking, discussions during the class highlighted the emotional connection people often have with food. Participants noted that the mood and mindset of the person preparing a meal can influence the outcome.
One participant said the experience demonstrated how cooking can reflect a person’s feelings. According to the participant, emotions often shape the way food is prepared, from the level of attention given to the process to the care taken in combining ingredients.
The session also provided an opportunity for networking among participants who came from different backgrounds but shared an interest in learning new cooking techniques. By the end of the class, the participants had prepared and shared the meal together, creating a moment of collective satisfaction after hours spent working in the kitchen.
Michelle Phetlhe, the brains behind the session, explained that the cooking tour by Chellz Kitchen aims to extend beyond traditional cooking lessons. Instead, the sessions are structured to allow participants to interact, learn and build connections while preparing food together.
Phetlhe stated that the classes are being rolled out to different groups as part of a broader plan to use cooking as a tool for engagement and community interaction. The sessions are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with Chellz Kitchen visiting other groups interested in taking part in the programme.
Participants in the weekend session described the experience as both educational and refreshing. By the end of the four-hour class, the kitchen had shifted from a space of instruction to one of shared experience. Participants sat down to enjoy the chicken curry and basmati rice they had prepared, reflecting on the lessons learned during the session.