Cooking with Cops brings police officer and students together in the kitchen

The school’s resource officer was eager to make a change.

With a love for cooking and a little creativity, Graham began the Cooking with Cops program three years ago at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School in partnership with ProAction Cops & Kids Toronto chapter.

The school’s resource officer was already running a basketball program for at-risk male youth. The cooking program, however, drew interest from both males and females at the school.

"It’s very popular," she said. "I mean, who doesn’t love food?"

Graham loves to cook but doesn’t refer to herself as a chef by any means. She said her first challenge was cooking in the school kitchen with more than 10 students between two stoves.

"I’m in my uniform and I’m cooking near a hot stove with the kids," the officer said. "It’s a lot of fun."

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• Dec 31, 1969
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Some of the menu items included: lemon-cranberry scones, mini shepherd’s pies, and one of Graham’s favourites, homemade gnocchi, taught by the wife of one of her 11 Division’s superintendents.

In fact, it’s common for Graham to bring in family and friends as "guest chefs." This year, Graham’s sister made an apple crumble pie, a hit amongst the students.

Oftentimes, the students are asked to cook for school events such as the athletic banquet or arts retreat. They’ve done other outreach events too, including feeding the homeless.

Each year, the students also host a finale dinner. This year’s meal was held at Thai Chef restaurant on Roncesvalles Avenue. The students were able to tour the kitchen and learn the restaurant’s spring roll recipe, which they later enjoyed.

"It was the most authentic Thai food I’ve had," said 16-year-old Sharlyn Barahona, who has been part of Cooking with Cops since it began.

For Barahona, meeting twice a week to cook with Graham and other students has helped develop her love for being in the kitchen. She even teaches her mom new recipes.

"I like how much food brings people together and seeing how excited and how happy everyone is. Whether it’s washing dishes or stirring the sauce, or asking who has the salt," she said.

Graham said some students have already expressed interest in joining a culinary arts program in the future. She also hopes to collaborate with the school’s media arts teacher to create a cookbook of the students’ favourite recipes.

"I like the experience it gives the students, plus it teaches them about teamwork, hard work, dedication and commitment," Graham said. "I truly love it."

But for the officer, the best part about the program is going beyond the kitchen and building relationships with the students at the school.

"They don’t see me as a police officer half the time, I’m just a friend now," she said.