Cooking class creates family bonds and can help prevent underage drinking 

KEARNS, Utah – Huevos rancheros, orange and jicama salad, and a smoothie were on the menu at a cooking class Tuesday morning to combat underage drinking. 

The groups Parents Empowered and Evidence2Success Kearns Community Coalition organized the cooking class at the Kearns Library.

They said parents are the number one reason why kids don’t drink. 

“I believe it’s extremely important that we send the message to the community that 66% of the Hispanic community, or the Latino parents speak to their kids about alcohol or to prevent alcohol,” said German Ochoa of Evidence 2 Success. “However, it’s better if we can bring the number higher. Can you imagine if instead of 66 we can bring the number to 70, 80, 90%? It can make a huge difference in the family and within the community.” 

Ochoa said, “Why cooking, why? Because number one we do it every day. We eat every day so why waste the time? We can take advantage of the time and sit with our families.” 

“I think it’s very important for kids to spend time with their parents,” said Adrian Jose Miranda, a volunteer for Kearn’s Youth Council. “And I think that already takes away risk factors, that their whole thing is like combatting risk factors in the youth and spending time with the family is combatting risk factors. And if you’re learning a good skill while you’re at it, it’s always better.” 

WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS

Hispanic and Latino youth in Salt Lake County are almost three times more likely to have had some alcohol in the past 30 days than the rest of their peers. 

The 2021 Utah student Health and Risk Prevention Survey showed that kids who regularly eat with their family at least five times per week were 33% less likely to use alcohol.  

It also said 33.2% of Hispanic or Latino parents in Salt Lake County have never talked to their kids about their rules and expectations of no alcohol use before age 21.  

Families that missed the cooking class can pick up something called a reuseable “Bonding in a Bag” tote at Rancho Markets and Stan’s Market in Kearns.  

The bags include all the ingredients to make huevos rancheros, orange and jicama salad, and a smoothie at home.