Cook, Create, Connect is designed for children and teenagers aged 4–18 years, across a wide range of abilities.
It is especially supportive for children working on independence, coordination, sensory confidence, emotional regulation and social skills.
We welcome children with diverse developmental profiles, including those with intellectual, physical, sensory, communication, learning or attention differences.
If you’re unsure whether this program is the right fit for your child, please get in touch — we are always happy to chat.

No — this program is open to all Northern Beaches families and surrounding suburbs.
We regularly welcome children from Palm Beach to Manly, and areas such as St Ives, Forestville, Terrey Hills and Narrabeen.
Everyone is welcome to join.

Yes. If your child would benefit from additional support, we can allocate a Support Worker from Enhanced Life Support Services to attend alongside them.
Families are also welcome to bring their own Support Worker if preferred.
Please let us know when booking so we can make sure the right supports are in place.

Our groups are intentionally small — typically 10 participants with 3 staff.
We may also form smaller subgroups during the program based on age, confidence, interests or support needs, ensuring every child gets the most out of their experience.

Absolutely. Supporting children with restricted eating, sensory-based food preferences and feeding challenges is firmly within our Occupational Therapy scope.

We follow a gentle “pyramid of food exposure” approach, which may include:
- having food in the room
- looking at or talking about food
- touching or smelling
- interacting with food through play or cooking
- tasting (if comfortable)

There is never any pressure to eat. Children participate at their own pace in a safe, supportive environment.

Yes — absolutely.

Safety is our highest priority, and we will adjust ingredients, recipes and activities as needed.
Please share all dietary requirements during registration so we can plan accordingly.

Where possible, yes.

Our chefs prepare morning tea and lunch each day using organically sourced, fresh ingredients whenever they are available.

Each child receives a Cooking Starter Pack that may include:
- child-safe utensils
- an apron
- visual recipe cards
- OT-created kitchen visuals or checklists
- sensory-friendly food exploration tools (e.g. smell jars, tasting spoons)
- A tote bag

Everything in the bag is yours to keep.

* please note all bags can be varied per program

Yes. Our recipe cards are visual, step-by-step and can be adapted for different learning needs, supporting both emerging and confident readers to follow along successfully.

Yes — families are welcome to book a 1:1 Occupational Therapy goal review session (via telehealth) with one of the OTs running the group.
This session helps clarify what skills your child is working on and allows for therapeutic collaboration around goals and areas to focus on during the program.

No experience is required!
Tasks are guided and supported by our OT, Allied Health Assistant and Chef, making the program accessible for beginners and experienced young cooks alike.

Yes. Many families use NDIS funding under:

Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living (OT + AHA)

Core Supports: Social & Community Participation (Chef/Support Worker)

If you need help determining the correct category, we are happy to assist.

Absolutely. Many children feel more confident attending with a sibling, cousin or friend, and we are more than happy to support this.

Just a water bottle and comfortable clothing.

All food, materials, equipment, aprons and the take-home pack are provided.

To register, simply complete the online enrolment form. Once submitted, our administration team will review your information and contact you within 48 hours to confirm your child’s place (if spots are still available).

Please note that places are limited, and enrollments are confirmed on a first-come basis. You will receive a confirmation email once your child’s spot is secured.

Cook, Create, Connect is designed and run by paediatric Occupational Therapists, supported by an Allied Health Assistant and Chef. This means the program is not just about cooking — it is a therapeutic, evidence-informed experience that supports skills such as independence in daily living, sensory regulation, fine-motor development, executive functioning, social participation and emotional wellbeing.

Unlike general cooking classes, every part of the program — the environment, routines, visuals, break structure, sensory supports and social interactions — is thoughtfully planned through an OT lens to ensure children of all abilities can participate meaningfully and safely. Our team understands developmental needs, sensory differences, behaviour support and child-centred learning, which allows us to adapt tasks and offer the right level of guidance and encouragement.

This level of clinical expertise, therapeutic planning and small-group support is why the program is a different investment to a standard cooking class or Support Worker activity — it is a specialised OT-led intervention disguised as fun, designed to build real-life skills that transfer to home, school and everyday routines.