WILLEMSTAD - The Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou (SDKK) recently organized a series of special cooking workshops for inmates working in the prison kitchen. The initiative was developed by SDKK’s own kitchen team, who wanted to help participants gain practical skills they can use after their release.
The main goal of the program is to ensure that every month, inmates who work daily in the kitchen get an opportunity to learn new snack and pastry recipes. These skills are intended to help them earn a dignified extra income once they reintegrate into society. The workshops also highlight traditional Curaçaoan snacks according to the season.
Life Skills Beyond Cooking
During the sessions, instructors also focus on:
Proper behavior and conduct rules
Hygiene standards in food preparation
Knowledge of ingredients and products
Presentation of the final product
From Coconut Tart to Italian Pizza
Over the past two months, participants learned to prepare coconut tart (tèrt di koko) and preimu, among other traditional snacks. In the most recent workshop, inmates were taught how to make Italian-style pizza completely from scratch—starting with the dough and using different toppings such as chicken, ham and vegetables.
They also prepared pizza bread, demonstrating the differences in taste and technique.
High Interest and Recipes to Take Home
SDKK reports strong interest in the workshops. At the end of each session, every participant receives the full recipe, allowing them to recreate the snacks independently in the future.
According to the correctional facility, the workshops contribute not only to culinary skills but also to confidence-building and rehabilitation, helping inmates prepare for a more sustainable and productive life after release.