Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital hosted a successful Cooking with Gadgets competition

Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital hosted its 8th Cooking with Gadgets competition on October 20.

Deputy director of the occupational therapy department, Veda Yip Cateaux explained how her mother helped her think thoroughly about starting the programme.

“In 2015, a staff member approached the head of the occupational therapy department for advice regarding how to develop a project that would bring about awareness of how using gadgets and compensatory methods would showcase the benefits of gadgets to the patients and their families. She suggested that staff members should look at starting a Master Chef-like competition because being able to feed oneself would be the starting point of independent living and also it would encourage our patients to sustain and integrate the skills learned during therapy.”

Through the years, the programme improved and expanded. New elements and aspects were introduced such as the Cooking with Gadgets recipe books which is an empowerment tool rather than just another recipe book.

Local contestant, Elizabeth Mazibuko said the competition made her independent in the kitchen.

“I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Throughout the competition, the occupational therapists helped and mentored me throughout the different training required throughout the processes. We learned how to use different gadgets to help us cook and reach certain objects in the kitchen or around us.”

The occupational therapy department this year added another element to the programme, where project management, costing, basic finance, and how to start a small business were added. Trial runs for their small business ventures were also practised.

Contestant and winner, Jaliswa George noted that she was diagnosed with mononeuritis multiplex last year which means it is difficult for her to use her hands and feet.

“The condition has affected me because I cannot do things on my own such as climbing on a stepladder without the feat of hurting myself. The cooking journey has given me hope and encouraged me because before the pandemic I owned a restaurant and have dreams of reviving it again.”

The winners of the competition are as follows:

• Third place– Christina Matlala
• Second place: Elizabeth Mazibuko
• First place: Jaliswa George

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