Indigenous Cooking Workshop: Three Sister’s Soup

Craving something warm and comforting that is also packed with traditional goodness? 

Join us at the East Lions Community Centre for a fun, hands-on cooking workshop where we'll be whipping up a classic Three Sisters Soup! This delicious soup features the powerful trio of corn, beans, and squash. We will show you how to build a rich, flavourful broth from scratch using fresh ingredients, while building foundational kitchen skills along the way. Bring your curiosity, bring a friend, and come ready to cook, learn, and enjoy a warm meal together with your neighbours!

Date: September 26, 2026 

Time: Kitchen doors open at 12:45 PM, workshop begins at 1:00 PM 

Location: East Lions Community Centre, 1731 Churchill Ave, London, ON N5W 5P4

What You’ll Experience: 

• Meet Your Community & Connect: We’ll start with a quick icebreaker so you can meet the people at your station and get settled in.
• Explore Food Traditions & Nutrition: Discover the history and significance behind the "Three Sisters" (corn, beans, and squash) in traditional Indigenous agriculture, and learn how these ingredients combine to create a nutritional powerhouse.
• Essential Knife & Cooking Skills: Get hands-on experience in safe knife handling, peeling and mincing garlic, and dicing vegetables. You'll practice sautéeing and simmering techniques to craft a rich soup from scratch, learning how to balance appearance, aroma, texture, and flavour.
• Soup Celebration & Community Care: Sit down with the group to enjoy a warm, comforting bowl of your team's homemade Three Sisters Soup together before pitching in to get the stations and kitchen cleaned up.

A Welcoming Space for Everyone: 

At Grow Cook Learn, we believe that healthy eating looks different for everyone. This is a judgment-free space where all bodies, backgrounds, and skill levels are celebrated. We focus on food neutrality and the joy of building skills as a community.

Families & Children: 

Kids are absolutely welcome! Please keep in mind that the workshop involves working with hot stove tops and sharp knives. We expect all participants to follow safe handling practices as we share tools and space. We are happy to make accommodations—please let us know if you require any specific arrangements when you register.

What to Bring: 

• Your enthusiasm and curiosity!
• Closed-toe kitchen appropriate shoes and attire.
• A hair tie or clip to secure long hair during preparation.
• A container if you want to take home leftovers (highly recommended!).
• A personal lock if you would like to use the on-site lockers for your phone or wallet.

Note: All ingredients and tools are provided. For kitchen safety, coats and large bags will be kept in the designated area just outside of the room.

Accessibility & Parking: 

The East Lions Community Centre is a fully accessible facility. There is ample free parking available onsite. The community kitchen features accessible entrances and bathrooms, as well as adjustable-height tables. While the main counter tops are standard height, the kitchen includes a dedicated wheelchair-accessible section with a sink and counter top to ensure a comfortable experience for all participants.

About East Lions Community Centre: 

The East Lions Community Centre is a vibrant hub for the Argyle community and beyond. This modern facility offers a wide range of programming, including a full-sized pool, gymnasiums, and specialized rooms for art and weaving classes. The centre features a professional community kitchen space designed for collaborative learning and nutrition education. Outdoors, the facility is surrounded by a large park featuring accessible playgrounds, basketball courts, and space for soccer. Whether you are looking for yoga, Pilates, or a place to connect with neighbours, East Lions serves as a cornerstone for recreation and wellness in London. We are excited to be borrowing their kitchen space for our workshop.

About Grow Cook Learn: 

The London Community Resource Centre (LCRC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to building community through food education and security. Grow Cook Learn is one of LCRC’s core programs, offering hands-on workshops that promote nutrition literacy, foster community connections, and build confidence in the kitchen. To learn more, visit our website.

Disclaimers: 

• Ingredient Selection: Vegetable availability (fresh vs. frozen) may vary based on budget and seasonal supply.
• Allergen Note: All ingredients provided are vegan. If you have specific allergies, please inform us during registration.
• Group Work: Due to limited kitchen equipment and stovetop space, participants will gather into groups to prepare recipes. This collaborative approach allows everyone to gain hands-on cooking experience while learning from one another. Everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the finished product and may have leftovers to take home.
• Attendance Policy: To ensure a quality experience, please plan to attend the entire session. Arriving late means missing vital safety information regarding hot plate use and food sanitation, leaving early may result in incomplete recipes.