Young people in custody discovered the joy of cooking while building confidence during a hands-on class with SHINE for Kids and inaugural MasterChef Australia winner Julie Goodwin.
This new program is being developed in partnership with author and television personality Julie Goodwin and is shaped by her previous experience running cooking and life skills programs for young people in custody and the community.
The program trial was held during the school holidays, with very excited young people coming together in sessions throughout the week to learn to cook and, more importantly, share a wholesome, tasty meal.
The program goes beyond teaching the basics of cooking, also focussing on building confidence, independence, and connection through social and teamwork skills that will help participants in the kitchen and in their lives.
For many of the young people taking part, opportunities like this are rare. Some have experienced significant hardship and have not had positive role models or the chance to learn everyday skills, such as cooking or sharing a meal around a table.
For this final session for the week, the group of girls aged 14 to 19 entered the kitchen with an extra sense of anticipation, knowing they would be cooking alongside a special guest – Julie Goodwin!
From the moment the session began, the room was buzzing.
The young people took their places at cooking stations, mixing spices, frying chicken, and preparing muffin batter with flour, eggs, and berries. The space quickly filled with delicious smells and cheerful chatter.
There were moments of surprise and delight throughout: one girl marvelled at how far the scent of the spices could travel when Julie noticed it from across the room; another enjoyed the bright colour the berries brought to the muffin mixture as she stirred; and one girl and a team member chuckled as they tried to calculate teaspoons, tablespoons and microwave times, reflecting that cooking required more maths than they had expected!
For one participant, the experience reminded her of her dad, a chef in her hometown. She said that she was looking forward to telling him about the cooking class and that he’d be happy to hear she was learning something new.
The group was a mix of personalities, but everyone got along well.
Some worked quietly and intently, listening as Julie shared tips on food safety and how to cook chicken, so it was perfectly done without burning. Others chatted and laughed, enjoying the chance to try something new with support from the SHINE for Kids team.
But the highlight of the session came when it was time to eat!
The burritos were a clear hit, earning a big thumbs up of approval from one of the girls. Sitting down together, the young people shared out the meal they had prepared, passing around plates of cheese, sour cream, salsa, and fillings.
The room filled with light conversation about favourite foods, and favourite TV shows! It was more than just a meal, it was a moment of connection, shared achievement, and a chance for the girls to practice social skills they don’t often get to.
At the end of the session, the kitchen was cleaned, the dishes packed away, and the group left with full stomachs and smiles.
Staff at the centre told our team that the trial as a big success, and we see it as a solid start in developing a new, exciting a rewarding program for young people in custody. We look forward to working with the centres, Julie Goodwin, and young people to make this truly special.
This program was supported by the Women NSW 2025/26 Investing in Women Grant.
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