Gail Sokol jokes she was forced to learn to cook at a young age in order to survive.
“My mom was not a good cook and she didn’t enjoy being in the kitchen. She still doesn’t,” Sokol said. “But that gave me an advantage, because she allowed me to be in the kitchen and do what I want, as long as I cleaned up afterward.”
Unlike her mother, Sokol found she loved being in the kitchen. Her grandmothers helped her to refine recipes and cooking time was seen as a special bonding experience. She learned early on cooking would be a lifelong passion. While she thought of turning it into a career, others saw it as a hobby.
“At the time, people told me cooking was nice but asked what did I really wanted to do,” said the Slingerlands resident.
Sokol ended up with degrees in chemistry and business, but at 40 years old opted to change career paths and went back to school for a culinary arts degree from Schenectady County Community College.
“I wanted to cook professionally instead of just having people over for dinner,” she said. “It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Fifteen years later, Sokol is an adjunct professor at both SCCC and Russell Sage College teaching baking, nutrition and sanitation, and is the director of SCCC’s cooking and baking summer camp for children. She is also a cookbook author, freelance writer and a former local television show host.
Since beginning to cook professionally, Sokol said her main goal has been to inspire healthy eating at home. She has begun giving demonstrations at local schools, nonprofit organizations and medical institutions to show people how making substitutions in what they eat can still be delicious and good for you.
“It’s really taken over my life and it’s something I want to emphasis because we are becoming such an obese nation,” she said.
For her latest project, Sokol has partnered with Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings on a new campaign called Eat Healthy Albany. The initiative was first launched last September and is meant to “help fight obesity and inspire healthy changes in eating.”
Various programs and demonstrations have been planned since the program’s launch in areas throughout Albany County. The next event called “Cooking Healthy for Spring” will be held on Saturday, April 27, at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland.
A lot of the education is family-focused, but Sokol said she likes to do hands-on demonstrations with children the most. The thought is the children will have a fun time during the lessons and bring that information back home to their parents.
“We want to have a trickle up effect for their parents,” she said. “A lot of times parents think they don’t have time to make these kinds of meals or don’t know how. Kids can work as healthy ambassadors and be a grassroots campaign right in their own home.”
Jennings will be at the event cooking with Sokol. Parents will be taught some quick and delicious recipes for summer, while the kids will participate in demonstrations. Sokol will also teach about portion size, the importance of eating fruits and vegetables and the difference between whole and refined grains.
“I am hopeful that as our children embrace change, their actions will encourage adults to consider healthier options as well,” said Jennings.
The event will include sample tastings, prize giveaways and free recipes for parents.
Sokol said she hopes other public officials will sign on to partner with the project, so the effort can expand across the county and beyond.
“There is a real need for this,” said Sokol. “Research is showing this is the first generation that might not outlive their parents because of obesity and the increased risk of diabetes.”
“Cooking Healthy for Spring” will be held on Saturday, April 27, at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Apple Court. To learn more, visit the program’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/eathealthyalbany.