Toronto boy's baking class is a sweet treat for kids with disabilities

Photo of Lincoln and Gabriel, your hosts for a lava cake bake this coming Saturday.

By Louise Kinross

Lincoln Dugas-Nishisato describes himself as a "major foodie." Using his passion to cook and bake, the 12-year-old Toronto boy has raised over $9,000 for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital while teaching kids how to develop their own culinary skills online.

This Saturday Lincoln's Cooking for Kids class is making chocolate lava cake with berry coulis and white chocolate drizzle. One of the guest chefs is nine-year-old Gabriel Nikolakakis. He's a more recent foodie, as he was restricted to a puréed diet until a few years ago.

Gabriel is an ambassador at Holland Bloorview, and that's how Lincoln got interested in raising money for the hospital. "He's an amazing friend and neighbour of ours and also an avid chef and baker," Lincoln says. "We received so much positive information about Holland Bloorview from Gabriel and his mom Fabiana that we knew we wanted to help out."

Last February, in the lead-up to Holland Bloorview's Capes for Kids fundraiser, Cooking for Kids was born in Lincoln's family kitchen. Lincoln said his passion for making food began when he went to his first birthday party as a three-year-old. "It was a baking party and I learned I could have so much fun."

Since then his family have encouraged his interest and he's taken many classes. "We have a fantastic kitchen at home and we've always loved watching Food Network together and practising," he says. "My parents have kickstarted my adventures by finding recipes from all over the place. My family loves to travel and I love the cuisine native to many different countries, so that's also made me want to develop my skills. I now consider myself a respectable chef."

Gabriel says he enjoys Cooking for Kids because "it's fun, interesting and I learn new recipes. And it supports programs at Bloorview."

Longos was so impressed with the online cooking class that it decided to sponsor it and share one of its professional kitchens. "We showcase their ingredients and they made a large donation and then let us use their kitchen, which is a huge, elaborate kitchen," Lincoln says. 

Kids and families sign up in advance and any donation of $10 or more receives a charitable tax receipt from Holland Bloorview. Once registered, the Zoom link and recipe details are sent by e-mail. If you can't make the class, you can still donate and you'll be sent a recording afterwards.

Lincoln takes his community work seriously. In advance of a class, the Grade 7 Upper Canada College student will whip up what's on the menu "five to 10 times, so I know the tips and tricks and the common errors and how to get students past them."

Yum! Don't forget to book your spot for the lava cake class this Saturday February 12. Like this story? Sign up for our monthly e-letter. You'll get family stories and expert advice on raising children with disabilities; interviews with activists, clinicians and researchers; and disability news: https://bit.ly/3IIK5Qo.