A new program from Vancouver's community and family services is helping people gain new cooking skills and develop friendships.

Sally Ann's Healthy Eating Kitchen celebrated its first graduates this fall, as Major Russ Holland, director of community and family services, presented 12 women with certificates of completion. The diverse group of participants ranged in age from 20 to early 60s, and included four single moms with school-aged or older children. The women also brought various skills and experiences to the kitchen.

The weekly sessions were quick in drawing the participants together through a series of small-group cooking activities. The sessions also provided them with handouts and an opportunity to discuss topics such as nutrition, food safety, budgeting and meal planning. In addition to positive feedback from participants, the program has received generous support from agencies in the community, including Canadian Tire which donated cookware.

Five more cycles of the program will be held in 2014.