Each Wednesday, eight developmentally disabled young adults Zoom into cooking classes with West Chester University nutrition majors for some cooperative cooking, writes Sarah Bloomquist for 6ABC.

Each chef-in-the-making teams up with a student who guides them through the skills they need to create a delicious meal.

Before the pandemic hit, the young adults, who call themselves Ram Chefs after the WCU mascot, served a church supper at the United Methodist Church of West Chester. WCU associate nutrition professor Dr. Jeannie Subach oversaw the event.

When COVID-19 halted visits, Subach wanted to ensure the Ram Chefs stayed connected. She, therefore, started holding weekly online conversations with the group that then evolved into virtual cooking classes.

“We have seen the progression of their independence,” said Subach. “They make dinner for their families.”

Meanwhile, class participants are overjoyed at the ongoing lessons.

“It makes me feel that I can do anything in a kitchen,” said Olivia Reihl of Exton. “You can be so creative cooking anything.”

Read more about the cooking meetups in 6ABC.