Stirring up Smiles
A few years ago, when Amanda Farwick first handed her toddler, Wilson, a spoon in the kitchen, she wasn’t thinking about cookbooks or social media followings. She was merely following her son’s therapists’ advice. Wilson was born with Down syndrome, and he used these therapies to improve various skill sets. He had been working through early intervention therapies when the therapists encouraged Amanda to have him pretend to cook. But Amanda, who loved cooking, had another idea. Why pretend, she thought, when we can actually do it?
From then on, two-year-old Wilson began to work alongside his mom in the family’s kitchen, learning how to stir real ingredients, use tongs to serve real food, and practice balancing while standing on a stool at the counter. What began as therapy exercises soon became an integral part of their daily routine. “It dawned on me that maybe cooking was going to be how he best learned,” Amanda recalled. “When you think about it, cooking really engages so many different skills. Fine and gross motor skills are used for scooping, pouring, lifting, and sorting bowls or ingredients, standing at the counter, cutting, opening packets, and measuring, just to name a few. Cooking together also provides the opportunity for math and speech development, counting, identifying objects and colors, following simple and multi-step directions, reading ingredients, and so much more. There are so many different skills that you can build on over time.”
For the Farwick family, independence has always been the goal. Amanda and her husband, Steve, wanted Wilson to develop life skills that would help him grow into a confident and capable individual. Cooking offered the perfect setting because in the kitchen, Wilson could practice the various activities his therapists encouraged, all while making it fun and engaging. Before long, Wilson wasn’t just practicing; he was actively participating and doing a great job. Cooking became an integrated part of the family’s day, and Wilson looked forward to helping prepare each new dish.
As Amanda shared their cooking adventures online, people took notice. Families, teachers, and therapists connected with Wilson’s journey, and the Farwicks’ following quickly grew. “We have almost 100,000 followers across all social media platforms,” said Amanda, “inspiring people of all abilities to learn together in the kitchen. Many of our fans asked about a cookbook, so we decided to put together a cookbook of some of our favorite recipes to make together in the kitchen.”
With Amanda as the author, Steve as the photographer, and Wilson as the sous chef and “Chief Inspiration Officer,” the family collaborated on their very first cookbook – Cooking with Wilson. The family emphasized that this is not a business run by staff; it’s a family project. Together, they bring their mission of inclusivity and capability to life. The book is filled with favorite family recipes that are easy to follow and designed to encourage learning and independence in the kitchen. For Wilson, the kitchen has become a stage. He loves entertaining and takes pride in having a job to do. Whether he’s stirring a bowl full of ingredients, devising a new recipe, or posing for the camera, he brings enthusiasm to every task.
Behind the project is a close-knit family. Steve, originally from Ohio, is a sports fan with a special love for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Amanda, a South Carolina native, brings her southern roots and planning skills to the family. Wilson, now nine, is happiest when he’s helping and entertaining, taking pride in having a job to do.
Since releasing the cookbook, the Farwicks have been touched by the stories and photos shared by readers. Families send pictures of meals they’ve made together, and parents talk about the fun their children had while following the recipes in the cookbook. “Our most impactful moments are when we hear from teachers or therapists that they are using our cookbook to help their students learn in the classroom or in a therapy session,” Amanda explained. “We are now tailoring some of our cooking videos to be more classroom friendly.” These recipes will include budget-friendly and larger-scale options to accommodate a classroom-size audience, as well as recipes that don’t require an oven or stove, since most classrooms do not have these appliances available.
At the heart of Cooking with Wilson is a simple philosophy: people of all abilities can learn and contribute to the culinary experience and beyond. Cooking is just one example of how inclusion can happen in everyday life. Amanda shared, “The philosophy behind our business is helping others to see the importance of gaining basic life skills and to show how people of all abilities can learn together in the kitchen. We promote inclusion in all aspects of life and seek to find ways that all individuals can make meaningful contributions.”
For the Farwick family, Cooking with Wilson is more than recipes on a page. It’s the story of how everyday activities can turn into opportunities for growth. It’s proof that change can start at home, in simple and meaningful ways. And it’s a reminder that independence is built step by step, sometimes while standing on a stool, stirring a bowl, and smiling at the joy of being part of it all. To keep everyone updated on their activities, the Farwicks regularly post cooking videos and additional information on their website.