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Wlaf1450Little Chefs Big Change needs volunteers for after school cooking classes
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
By Charlotte Underwood
CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- Knoxville non-profit Little Chef, Big Change is bringing its after-school healthy cooking program to Campbell County public schools for the first time. Beginning this month, students at LaFollette Middle School and Wynn Elementary School will participate in interactive cooking classes designed to build lifelong skills and confidence in the kitchen. The program will move to the Postmark LaFollette in the summer months. Volunteers are needed for the after-school program.
The after-school program offers “fully hands-on cooking classes where students learn fundamental cooking skills, nutrition literacy, and teamwork while preparing and sharing healthy meals. Over the course of each series, students cook complete recipes, try new foods, and take recipes home to prepare with their families.”
“Access to nutritious food is not enough,” said Sarah Wharton, Executive Director of Little Chefs, Big Change. “In order to eat healthy food, you need to actually like healthy food. And better yet, know how to prepare it for yourself and your family. That’s where we come in.”
Little Chefs, Big Change “works primarily in Title I schools and community centers, partnering with local educators and volunteers to create welcoming, supportive learning environments. The organization’s programming emphasizes practical skills like measuring, chopping, reading recipes, and cooking safely, while also encouraging curiosity and confidence around new foods.”
According to organizers, the expansion into Campbell County is supported by a grant from the state health department, the Siddiqi Foundation, community partnerships and volunteers who work alongside lead instructors to guide students through each class. Volunteers do not need prior teaching experience and receive training and support from Little Chefs, Big Change staff.
The classes will be held after school at Wynn Elementary School and at LaFollette Middle School. Volunteers will work directly with the lead cooking instructor and other volunteers to “bring the joy of healthy cooking to Campbell County kids!”
There are multiple volunteer spots open. Both programs are six weeks long. LaFollette Middle School starts Feb 18th and is every Wednesday from 3:30-5pm. Wynn Elementary School starts March 31st, with classes every Tuesday from 3:30-5pm.
There are multiple shifts open. Volunteers will assist the lead cooking instructor, and will help set up cooking stations, and assist in cleaning and organizing the cooking area before and after each class. Volunteers will assist students in preparing ingredients, which may include washing, chopping and measuring. Volunteers will help encourage students to explore new plant-based ingredients, foster an atmosphere of teamwork and cooperation among the students and adhere to safety guidelines, while setting a positive example for students in terms of attitudes, enthusiasm and respect for others.
During the class, kids learn how to make dishes they have never made before, and all the items on the menu are centered around healthy eating.
Little Chefs Big Change is a non-profit organization that aims at teaching children about healthy eating and how to prepare home-cooked meals. The organization offers “fully hands on cooking classes that teach kids fundamental cooking skills, nutrition literacy and confidence in preparing delicious, healthy meals.” The program “empowers children to try new foods, gain confidence and develop skills they carry into their homes and beyond.”
Little Chefs, Big Change, believes “everyone deserves access to healthy foods and recognizes that even incremental changes towards a healthy diet can positively impact physical and mental health. They acknowledge the importance of exposing children to various foods, which can help prevent pickiness and promote a lifetime of healthy eating.”
This will be the second program that the nonprofit has done in the county. Last summer, Postmark LaFollette hosted the non-profit for summer camp cooking classes, which was the “first outreach outside of Knoxville” for Little Chefs Big Change.
The program attracted Postmark’s Camp Coordinator Julie Van Arsdale, who went to Knoxville to sit in on a class and afterwards, she knew she wanted to bring it to LaFollette for Postmark as part of last year’s summer camp program. The summer camp classes were so popular that Postmark is hosting them again this summer.
“When I saw what she was doing with these kids and with her menus, these are things that kids don’t get exposed to everyday, vegetables and different culinary dishes. Life can be fast, and a lot of people eat fast food these days. This program helps show kids that not only is food they make at home healthier, but it is also often cheaper and a more economical choice,” Van Arsdale said, adding that it was also about “teaching the kids that they can source their food from local growers and farmers right here in the county.”
“I believe kids need to learn how to cook and now is the time to teach this to kids when they are at this age and can soak up knowledge and build good healthy eating habits that can last their lifetime,” Van Arsdale said.
For more information about the program, or to sign up for volunteering, contact info@littlechefsbigchange.org.
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-02/09/2026-6AM)