The Learning Kitchen: Nurturing Healthy Cooking Habits for Generations

The Learning Kitchen program is designed to inspire a new generation of healthy cooks, providing them with the knowledge and skills to create nourishing meals for themselves and their families. Established by grants from the Knox County Community Foundation and the Indiana Department of Health, the program focuses on making cooking fun and accessible for everyone.

Cookin' Up Some Fun!

The Learning Kitchen provides fun, healthy recipes and cooking lessons to inspire families to make meals together that can have a positive impact on their health. The program emphasizes the importance of cooking more meals at home using whole foods. Whole foods are foods that has been minimally or unprocessed and can be consumed in its whole form. For example, whole grains such as oats and rice, whole fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, high quality meat like chicken, beef or pork, and high quality dairy products including milk cheese and yogurts. Even if you can just cook one more meal a week from home using whole food ingredients, you will begin to experience an improvement in energy and mood.

There are so many simple and fun recipes to try, and countless resources to find them. If you just don’t like to cook try to think of ways to make it something to look forward too!

Addressing Community Needs

One of the highlights has been working with our local food pantry and disaster response organization, Helping His Hands. The Learning Kitchen noticed that the patrons were receiving items in their boxes that they may be unfamiliar with or not know how to use. One example was lentils, a high protein legume that is easy to cook but easily overlooked because it is uncommon in the average American diet. The Learning Kitchen sampled a delicious yet simple lentil stew served over rice and had such a positive response from those brave enough to try it! They included the recipe in their boxes and have had one patron already reach out that they made this nourishing stew for their family and loved it! It’s little wins like this that keep them going and thinking of even more ways they can invite members of their community to take small steps towards improving their quality of life by learning how to cook simple, nourishing, whole food meals.

Staying Connected

The Learning Kitchen tries to keep the community updated on what they are doing on their social media platforms, and release a calendar of events monthly. If you are unable to attend our public events please check out our social media for updated content that include basic nutrition education, simple recipes that include seasonal produce, and basic cooking skills that you can use to make it easier to cook more meals at home.

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Curriculum and Target Audience

In a series of six lessons, participants learn about balancing and planning healthy meals, stretching food dollars to maximize nutrition, shopping strategies, and cooking techniques. An example lesson includes “Produce and Protein,” with a goal to encourage participants to incorporate more fruits, vegetables and healthy protein options into their diet. Classes are taught by community chefs and nutrition experts who volunteer to be trained to lead a series. There are three curricula: youth, young adult, and adult. Hunger Free Vermont hosts 40-50 series per fiscal year. On average, 11 participants take part in each series; therefore, 440-550 people participate in The Learning Kitchen yearly.

The USDA Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program is intended to serve SNAP participants and low- income individuals eligible to receive SNAP benefits or other means-tested federal assistance programs. In Vermont, SNAP is referred to as “3SquaresVT.” Our target audience extends to anyone whose income is at or below 185% of poverty level.

Measuring Success

The program is evaluated in several ways to help measure the overarching goal of behavior change, based on the Social Cognitive Theory of behavior change. There is a 16 question pre/post evaluation survey that is administered on the first and last class to measure changes in dietary behavior of the participants. This evaluation is based on the Food Behavior Checklist, a tested evaluation tool that has been found reliable and valid with low-income audiences, both child and adult. Hunger Free Vermont analyzes the surveys after the first class and sends the series host a report. A weekly check-in data sheet is provided to all Learning Kitchen series and is conducted at the beginning of lessons during group conversation. It is designed to collect information about participants’ behaviors between classes with regard to making the recipes at home and completing the take-home challenges.

Youth Program

Join us for a six-week series of hands-on cooking classes designed for Middle School students. With The Learning Kitchen's curriculum, these innovative sessions help youth gain confidence in meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking on a budget. Each week, we will highlight a different food group, engage in a fun nutrition education activity, and taste each recipe together. Classes are free and participants must attend all six sessions. This program is intended to serve students in SNAP eligible census tracts. This project was funded in whole or in part by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

Sample Classes

The Learning Kitchen offers a variety of classes for different age groups and skill levels. Here are a few examples:

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Chicken Marsala: Chicken Marsala, with its slightly sweet, rich and savory sauce, is a great recipe to have in your culinary arsenal for dinner parties or any special night. This is sure to become one of your favorites when you want to serve an elegant meal.
Fish Masterclass: Three Fish, Three Ways: Cooking fish doesn’t have to be intimidating and in this class, we’ll show you why.
Rustic Italian Dinner & Dessert: Comfort in a bowl, this classic Italian Cheesy Polenta & Meatballs hits the spot.
A Taste of Morocco: Chicken Tagine: Step into the world of Moroccan cuisine, where vibrant spices and bold flavors come together to create a truly scrumptious meal. In this class, you’ll prepare a Moroccan Spiced Chicken Tagine, cooked to tender perfection with the rich, aromatic Ras El Hanout spice blend.
French Bistro: We'll cook up the flavors of France with three delicious recipes.
Homemade Chinese: Orange Chicken: While Orange Chicken isn't exactly what you think of when you think of "authentic" Chinese food, it is absolutely delicious!
Homemade Gnocchi & Chocolate Mousse: Gnocchi can be so many things - an elegant meal for entertaining or a time saving alternative to homemade pasta. In this class, you'll learn the technique behind making basic gnocchi dough.
Chicken Saltimbocca with Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi: Don't think ordinary chicken can't be transformed into an elegant and delicious meal worthy of a special night in.
Pad Thai & Fresh Spring Rolls: Pad Thai is one of the most popular dishes in Thailand. Wherever there is street food, there is pad thai, and it's on most restaurant menus too! There can only be one reason…
Fish: Season, Sear & Sauce: Looking to improve or add variety to your fish cooking skills? This class is part of a popular series which focuses on the techniques involved in cooking an often-used ingredient.
Salute to Julia!: Julia Child introduced French cuisine and cooking techniques to America.
An Evening in Rome: Imagine sitting outside a Roman cafe enjoying the sights and smells. You'll be creating that feeling with this menu in The Learning Kitchen.
Chicken OR Eggplant Parm & Strawberry Shortcake: Crispy, cheesy, saucy perfection-this is comfort food at its best.
Level 1 & 2 Culinary Bootcamp (ages 11-16): This week long camp is designed for aspiring young chefs, blending the foundational skills of Culinary 1 with the advanced techniques of Culinary 2. For four hours each day, students will experience a fully hands-on curriculum that builds kitchen confidence and expertise.

Date Night Classes

Date Night: Sushi Workshop: Learning to prepare perfect sticky rice and create artful sushi rolls can be a fun dinner party with friends or a romantic date night in.
NEW CLASS! Date Night: The Mediterranean Table: We're off on a culinary journey to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, where vibrant herbs, citrus, and olive oil define a cuisine that’s both fresh and refined.
Date Night: Spanish Paella: We're making authentic Spanish Paella with the classic flavors and aromas of saffron and perfectly crispy toasted bomba rice served right in the pan. A play on Pan con Tomate to start, and for dessert, another Spanish classic…
Date Night: Italian Steakhouse Masterclass: Join us in an immersive cooking experience where the flavors and traditions of Italy combine with American Steakhouse fare! Learn to create a mouthwatering Prosciutto and Melon Salad paired with creamy Burrata Cheese, delicate Lobster Agnolotti, succulent Filet Mignon, and zesty Broccoli Rabe.
Chef's Table Private Class for Two: Enjoy a unique, private culinary journey crafted just for two.
NEW CLASS! Date Night: Osso Buco & Risotto alla Milanese: If you’re looking for a Date Night menu that feels truly special, this is it. Working at your own station, you’ll make Veal Osso Buco.
Date Night: India at Home: Have you made Indian food at home and wondered why it doesn't quite taste like the restaurant? What are they doing differently? Do they have some secret ingredients?
Date Night: Authentic Thai: Curry From Scratch: Thai curries are the perfect example of the balance of flavors that can make food so tasty. Even though you're cooking in pairs you'll each make your own curry paste by hand with a mortar and pestle. Choice of green, red, yellow, or penang curry.
Date Night: Rosemary Steak w/ Bacon Scalloped Potatoes: This steak class is perfect for a date any night of the week or a Saturday dinner party.
Date Night: Detroit Style Pizza from Scratch: Pizza from scratch may seem like a daunting task, but it's not as hard as you think! Detroit-style Pizza is one of the best; thick, crispy, cheesy, and totally different from your typical slice.
Date Night: Authentic Korean Bibimbap w/ Bulgogi: Korean Bibimbap is a meal we can all agree on. It's delicious.
Date Night: Homemade Pasta Chicken Alfredo w/ Cannolis: Making fresh pasta is a great skill to learn and one that can help make delicious and impressive meals at home!
Date Night: Kentucky Bourbon Steak: This is one of our most popular and highest reviewed classes, and with good reason!
NEW CLASS! Date Night: Hibachi Steak & Shrimp: Come and learn how to get that Japanese steakhouse hibachi flavor you crave in the comfort of your own home!

Parent & Child Classes

Mom/Dad & Me: Homemade Pasta & Meatballs Workshop: Transform your cooking game with the ultimate hands-on pasta-making experience!
Mom/Dad & Me: Cinnamon Rolls & Cream Cheese Frosting from Scratch: These Homemade From Scratch Cinnamon Rolls are an absolute treat!
Parent-Child Date: Detroit Style Pizza from Scratch: Get ready for a meal that’s equal parts delicious and fun! In this hands-on Parent & Child Date Night, you and your junior chef will team up to make a very crave-worthy comfort food: Detroit Style Pizza.
Parent-Child Date: Homemade Chinese Orange Chicken & Fried Rice: While Orange Chicken isn't exactly what you think of when you think of "authentic" Chinese food, it is absolutely delicious!

Kids Classes

Kids Class: Galettes & Fudge: A galette is like a pie's cooler cousin. It looks more dramatic and rustic, which is nice, because it's also a little easier!
Kids Class: Chicken OR Eggplant Parm & Strawberry Shortcake: Crispy, cheesy, saucy perfection-this is comfort food at its best.
Kids Class: Sweet & Savory Crepes: We've never met a crepe we didn't like. In this class, students will make a little extra crepe batter so they can take a few practice runs and perfect their technique.
NEW CLASS! Kids Class: Hibachi Chicken & Fried Rice: Come and learn how to get that Japanese steakhouse hibachi flavor you crave in the comfort of your own home!

Culinary Academies

Level 1 Culinary Academy Ages 8-13: In this 5-day Culinary Academy, students will be introduced, hands-on, to all the aspects of the kitchen. They'll learn about kitchen equipment, safety, knife skills, and hygiene. Then the real fun begins as each camper will make their own foods like pizza, tacos, and, French toast. We'll have a day of flavor dynamics where we focus on tasting and understanding the foundations of flavor.
Level 2 Culinary Academy Ages 11-16: This Level 2 Culinary Academy is a 5-day camp for students who already have some kitchen confidence and want to up their game. We will focus on techniques and skills that students can use in all of their cooking, not just when making these recipes. Each day has a new menu and new techniques to learn. Students will do everything from start to finish. Our classes are made to be very hands-on, without group cooking.
Level 3 Culinary Academy Boot Camp Ages 11-18: Embark on a week-long culinary adventure designed to inspire the next generation of chefs! Our 4 hour per day Level 3 Culinary Academy Boot Camp offers hands-on instruction in professional cooking techniques, with a focus on mastering essential skills and exploring diverse cuisines.
Level 1 & 2 Culinary Bootcamp (ages 8-13): This week long camp is designed for aspiring young chefs, blending the foundational skills of Culinary 1 with the advanced techniques of Culinary 2. For four hours each day, students will experience a fully hands-on curriculum that builds kitchen confidence and expertise.

A Food Philosophy for Life

One area we would like to be more intentional about is motivating you to cook more meals at home using whole foods. The Learning Kitchen understands that life can get busy and even if you can just cook one more meal a week from home using whole food ingredients, you will begin to experience an improvement in energy and mood.

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