Jacob’s cooking journey: A recipe for growth

If you walk through the kitchen at Northcott Taree on a Wednesday morning, you might be lucky enough to catch the smell of something delicious baking and see Jacob, quietly proud, at work behind the scenes. Jacob is a bright young man with a real interest in science and technology. He’s been attending Northcott’s Life Skills program for around three and a half years and, while he can be a little shy at first, those who know him well have watched him flourish, especially since some exciting changes to his program.

A personalised plan, designed by Jacob

Recently, Jacob has been spending Wednesday mornings in a one-on-one cooking program. A space where he’s not only building everyday living skills, but discovering new talents, confidence and joy along the way. The cooking program was inspired by conversations Jacob had with his support workers. He spoke about his memories of his grandmother’s cooking, family favourites and his own interest in learning to make the dishes he loves. From those chats, the idea of a 12-week personalised cooking plan was born and Jacob was involved every step of the way.

With the support of his trusted team, Jacob helped design the entire program. Together, they mapped out meals based on his likes, dislikes and sensory preferences. For example, Jacob shared that he wasn’t comfortable handling raw chicken, so they simply adjusted the plan to use pre-diced chicken instead. It’s this kind of thoughtful, person-centred approach that’s helped Jacob feel supported and in control of his learning.

Building skills beyond the kitchen

Each session begins with a shopping list, written by Jacob himself. He walks to the local supermarket, using the skills he gained from the Money Skills program to choose fresh, seasonal produce and stick to a budget using portion control. It’s not just about cooking – it’s about planning, budgeting and building independence.

Since starting this journey, Jacob’s growth has been remarkable. His natural talent in the kitchen has surprised even himself. He’s now confidently engaging with staff, baking treats and even sharing them (sometimes!) with his team. One proud moment came when he served freshly baked scones to the office staff, a huge step for someone who was once quite reserved. His support workers beamed with pride and although Jacob isn’t one for big fuss, it was clear how proud he was too.

Support Worker, Katrina recalls another turning point: “I walked into the kitchen one morning to do the dishes and saw Jacob had already done them. That was huge. He’s always struggled with dirty items, so to see him not just move them but clean them himself. That was a real moment of growth.”

The power of relationships

Jacob’s strong relationships with his regular support workers have been central to his progress. They understand his unique needs, communicate in ways that make sense to him and find creative ways to link his interests, like science, to his learning. Katrina often explains cooking as a kind of food science experiment, connecting new recipes to chemical reactions Jacob’s already familiar with. It helps him make sense of the process and gives him the confidence to try something new.

Quiet achievements, big growth

As Jacob continues his cooking journey, the growth in his confidence and capacity is inspiring to all who work with him. “I am so pleased with Jacob’s skill progression since the start of his cooking journey, but what I find more exciting is how his capacity has increased and has the potential for many great things,” says Katrina

Inside the centre, Jacob’s growth has been most noticeable. From preparing meals and cleaning up, to being more outgoing and willing to try new experiences, Jacob’s story is a beautiful example of what’s possible when people are supported in ways that work for them.

While Jacob might not say much about his achievements, his quiet smile as he plates up a fresh batch of baked goods says it all.