Nutrition students serve up cooking lessons in TMU's professional kitchen
In March, TMU’s School of Nutrition partnered with student health and wellbeing as well as the recreation department to host a Learn to Cook event for students interested in learning how to make healthy affordable meals. Photo credit: Alyssa K. Faoro
An informative and experiential partnership took place last month when five students from the master of health science in nutrition communication program taught 36 undergrads from across TMU to cook an affordable and healthy meal. The event, called Learn How to Cook, is also supported by student health and well-being and is part of programming from TMU Recreation to provide opportunities for students to learn new skills.
For the master’s students, it was a chance to plan the workshop as part of their capstone project. They surveyed students from across the university to learn what students wanted from the workshop: healthy eating on a budget and quick and easy meal ideas.
“It was great to have student-to-student interactions while also providing the participants with the food and nutrition skills and knowledge we have been acquiring all throughout undergraduate and graduate school,” said Ruba Al Rubaye, nutrition communications student and co-organizer of the workshop.
“Learning how to cook healthy meals is important for students because it provides them with essential life skills that promote their well-being. Having this skill allows the students to cultivate habits that support a balanced lifestyle. By learning to cook nutritious meals, students develop a greater understanding of the impact of food on their health and well-being” Al Rubaye said.
Masters students, like Madeleine Chu pictured here, taught undergrad students important cooking skills and techniques in TMU’s state-of-the-art Food Service Lab. Photo credit: Alyssa K. Faoro
Participants had a fun time learning how to plan and make affordable and healthy meals. Photo credit: Alyssa K. Faoro
Salad and pasta, both vegetarian and meat-friendly options, completed the food menu for the event. Students even got to take leftovers home. Photo credit: Alyssa K. Faoro
TMU is home to a Food Service Lab that is equipped with industry-standard tools and equipment which makes it the ideal facility for advanced food service training, hosting workshops, and recipe development. Photo credit: Alyssa K. Faoro
Students washed dishes and cleaned the state-of-the-art kitchen facilities after they finished cooking. Photo credit: Alyssa K. Faoro
Students celebrated their hard work with a mojito mocktail. Photo credit: Alyssa K. Faoro
For more information about TMU Recreation’s ‘Learn To Classes’ visit their website.