Cooking Workshop Featuring Matthew Ravenscroft
Who We Are
Soldiers of Creation is a gender inclusive social enterprise that focuses on providing a safe space for survivors and supporters of sexual assault to connect, reclaim their voice and empower each other. We aim to introduce survivors and allies dealing with trauma caused by sexual assault to alternative methods of healing.
Workshop Details
On Tuesday June 2nd, Soldiers of Creation partnered up with Matthew Ravenscroft, head chef at Rosalinda, for a Cooking Workshop. The workshop was hosted via Zoom, went from 6 pm - 8 pm, and was run by SOC team members Cynthia Yeh (Event Ops Coordinator) and Amy Finkelstein (Founder), Matthew, and Vivian as the workshop’s active listener. The goal of this workshop was to provide the SOC community with an easily accessible self-therapy ritual or tool to help refocus their mind and energy into something constructive and creative.
Workshop Summary
After introductions from Cynthia, Amy and Vivian, and going over housekeeping items for SOC’s first virtual workshop, Matthew taught the 15 attendees how to make two vegan meals: kale and mushroom enchiladas for dinner, and Tres Leche (vanilla milk cake) for dessert. SOC checked in periodically with the attendees about their progress, and was met with much positivity and excitement.
Source: Matthew Ravenscroft | Enchilada
Source: Matthew Ravenscroft | Tres Leche
After the cooking portion and quick 5-minute break, Vivian led the attendees (+ SOC and Matthew) in an opening guided meditation to focus their intentions for the optional conversation portion. The following were prompts for discussion: a) How did you feel during the workshop, b) If you feel comfortable, share a sexual assault, mental health, or anxiety story that you have experience, and c) How do you show allyship to yourself and others. Vivian wrapped up the workshop with a closing guided visualization meditation.
Workshop Partners
Facilitator: Matthew Ravenscroft
Source: Matthew Ravenscroft
“I love cooking plants, and this passion has brought me to Rosalinda - a vibrant, Mexican restaurant that celebrates a brighter future through the power of vegetables. I wasn’t always in a place that obsessed over all that the plant kingdom has to offer. After months of making my interests pretty clear, my cooking career really started to take off after a short-but-sweet tweet via Matty Matheson, formerly of Parts & Labour (RIP). I learned to take chances, to look at new ways of cooking food and developing flavours. After a lot of calamity and a lot of time spent in service - as well as leading their catering department, I joined The Drake to further develop their off-site dining experiences. It was around this time I turned my gaze to all things that grow in the ground.
A lot of what inspires me comes from the connections that I’ve made in my travels, from the food I’ve eaten while sitting on a busy street corner, and from sitting at the tables built by those chefs I look up to most. I’ve eaten a whole-roasted vegetable that made me reconsider how I cook entirely, tasted a carrot that made me reconsider how I look at my whole life. I’ve seen a potato win at Taste the World and everyone celebrate that humble spud, totally in awe.
To me, there’s no limits to what the plants can accomplish.”
From SOC:
“Matthew was such a treat (no pun intended) to work with - his generosity with his time and efforts in planning and executing all facets of the workshop (especially the customized recipes) does not go unnoticed. I found him approachable and down-to-earth, and these qualities were shared with the attendees through his engaging cooking commentary.” - Cynthia
“From the moment I spoke to Matthew, I knew he was an authentic, genuine human. He was really a pleasure to work with. Matthew was engaging, passionate, and a team-player throughout the creation of this workshop. He was so generous with his time and energy, and made sure we came up with a program that was inclusive and approachable for a wide variety of diets and experiences in the kitchen. Aside from being a wonderful teacher and chef, Matthew is also a strong supporter and ally to this community. I look forward to working with Matthew again on more SOC endeavours.” - Amy
Active Listener: Vivian Zhang (MSW, RSW)
Source: Vivian Zhang
Vivian is a Toronto-based clinical therapist who focuses on embracing the ways we connect with others. Her desire to help started at a young age after experiencing trauma at home and trying to navigate the mental health system to find support for her loved ones. Vivian supports those who are struggling, experiencing a difficult time, or undergoing a challenging transition. Support comes in many forms when it comes to mental health. Vivian’s initiative is to engage individuals in conversations about mental health and build safe support networks as well as communities to further allow for discussions on mental health.
From SOC:
“There’s something about Vivian that makes you feel safe and comfortable opening up to her about your troubles. Perhaps it’s her calm aura and vocal timbre, or the way you know she is actively listening to and hearing everything you’re saying. I really enjoyed working with her and experiencing her guided meditations.” - Cynthia
“Vivian is the kind of person around whom you instantly feel relaxed. She has a soothing energy that is wonderful to be around, and was a lovely counterpoint to the lively cooking portion of the workshop. One of my favourite parts of her meditation was her closing exercise - I loved how she used imagery to allow us to find closure from the harder conversations we shared. I would definitely go to another meditation session led by Vivian, and look forward to working with her in the future!” - Amy
Workshop Highlights
Observing a professional chef work his skills in the kitchen
Attendees sharing with us their satisfaction and success of their culinary creations
Feeling completely relaxed after Vivian’s guided meditations
What We Learned
Sustainable vegan cooking and baking
Meditation techniques - setting intentions, visualization
How to have respectful and mindful communication
Digital Informational Care Kit
Since we were unable to send out physical care kits to attendees due to COVID-19’s effect on mail delivery and shipping, together with Matthew and Vivian we put together a customized digital informational care kit for the workshop attendees. Matthew shared the recipes for the dishes made during the workshop as well as 2 additional customized recipes to encourage more kitchen time; and Vivian shared some grounding and re-focusing tips when experiencing anxiety. We also provided everyone with 3 resources from our directory that are currently offering free resources during the pandemic: Jenni Diamond, Dr. Donald Littlewood, and Beekeeper’s Naturals, who provided the attendees with a 20% discount off their natural healing products. In addition to the care kit, attendees were sent a recording of the cooking portion of the workshop for review as necessary.
Here is a sneak peek of what the care kit looks like. This one belongs to Etienne, our Content Writer & Editor - don’t worry, she gave us permission to share!
