The Brooklyn Public Library runs a wealth of programs, among them the Cookmobile, which offers free cooking classes for high schoolers, particularly in neighborhoods where fresh ingredients are in short supply. A compact 5-by-3-by-2-foot unit funded by the Bklyn Incubator, the Cookmobile is fitted with a sink, induction cooktop, convection oven and enough cooking utensils for up to 30 students. It can be transported from place to place and wheeled right into the library, ready for a class. “We even have a Vitamix,” said Johanna Lewis, a librarian who teaches the classes with Adeeba Rana, also a librarian. Last week, there were eight students, mostly boys, some of whom were repeats. They learned to make coleslaw and jollof rice, with some cultural background and even a brief food science lesson from Ms. Rana. Cookmobile has been holding classes at the Cypress Hills branch on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. After Thanksgiving, it will move to another branch, yet to be determined, for six weeks.
Cookmobile, bklynlibrary.org/calendar.
Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice.
