Three Corners Employment and Extension Office Team Up to Help Students With Cooking Skills

Jeanne Basil from Three Corners Employment, interacts with Eli White, an ECHS student.

Peytin Manor, story and photos:
On September 23, 2025, two representatives from the UK Extension Office–Family and Consumer Science and 4-H Youth Development Agent, Laura Grace Vincent and Program Assistant, Amber Melvin–visited the Three Corners Employment Services program to do a food preparation and cooking workshop at Edmonson County High School.

The Three Corners Employment program consists of one hundred and eight students that are gaining knowledge in interview, communication, social, and life skills. Each student is assigned to an employee specialist to acquire workplace readiness training. Their mission is to make a difference by empowering individuals with employable skills and providing employers with qualified workers. Special education students were also invited to the workshop.

Laura Grace Vincent (right) and Amber Melvin present a food prep course at ECHS.

Laura and Amber gave out handouts for each student to take home; the flyers consisted of food safety and the black bean quesadilla recipe. They gave a thorough presentation on promoting effective food safety to reduce foodborne illness risk for consumers.

Before students began cooking their black bean quesadillas, Laura and Amber demonstrated how to make the recipe. Each station was equipped with non-stick cooking spray, a spatula, measuring utensils, foam bowls, cheddar cheese, canned corn and black beans, paper plates, wheat tortillas, and an electric skillet. In their groups, students made their very own quesadillas. 

The UK Extension Office plans to collaborate more with the Three Corners program in the future to teach students life skills. The department works closely with the Edmonson County Public Library, Edmonson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 4H, and so many more organizations in the community.