Need to be added to the wait list?
Did you try to register for current classes, but received a “Classes are Full” message? No worries, add yourself to the wait list here:
Cook Well, Be Well
Free community cooking classes
Cook Well, Be Well is a cooking class series for adults age 16 and older. The hands-on series teaches the Mediterranean Diet principles, cooking skills and the Model for Healthy Living—a life balance tool. Over the course of four weeks, participants will learn to become comfortable in the kitchen, build meals and flavor, stock a healthy pantry, and cook on a budget.
Cook Well, Be Well is the perfect class for all levels of cooks who want to:
- Learn healthy cooking skills
- Experiment with new flavors and healthy cooking techniques
- Use food to prevent and manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease
Class Offerings
Class space in both virtual and in-person settings are limited to allow for better engagement online and safe social distancing in our Nutrition Hub at Crosstown Concourse. If interested in either session, please register by clicking on the Get Started button below. If classes are full, your contact info will be added to a wait list. We will then contact you when a spot opens up or when we add more class sessions.
In-person Cooking Classes (English)
This class is held in the Nutrition Hub cooking kitchen with instructors and other classmates.
Presencial Cooking Classes (Español)
Esta clase se lleva a cabo en la cocina de cocina del Centro de Nutrición con instructores y otros compañeros de clase.
Self-paced Cooking Classes (English & Spanish)
This class is for children (ages 6+) and families the sessions prepare them for safe, fun and healthy experiences in the kitchen!
Cook Well, Be Well Registration
Before your Cook Well, Be Well Cooking Class registration can be completed, we ask that you take this Pre-Survey to help our instructors better prepare for the class participant competencies. Please note that to participate you must be able to attend all 4 sessions.
New Schedule Alert: Starting in September, free Cook Well, Be Well classes will be held on Tuesday evenings, alternating monthly between English and Spanish. Registration opens two weeks before each series, and a Pre-Survey is required to complete your registration. The Well at Church Health will also be hosting a Family & Children version of Cook Well, Be Well on Saturday mornings.
English Cooking Class Offerings
In-person Cooking Classes (English)
Tuesdays
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
The next class series will begin on November 5, 2024.
Spanish Cooking Class Offerings
In-person Cooking Classes (Español)
Tuesdays
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
The next class series will begin on December 7, 2024.
Children & Family Cooking Class
*Childcare is provided for children under 6 years old.
Questions?
Please contact us at thewell@churchhealth.org
Children & Family Cooking Classes
Classes are held on the following Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
03/22/25
03/29/25
04/5/25
04/12/25
The next class series will begin on March 22, 2025.
Cook Well, Be Well Registration
Before your Cook Well, Be Well Cooking Class registration can be completed, we ask that you take this Pre-Survey to help our instructors better prepare for the class participant competencies.
Please note that registration will open up two weeks prior to the start of each class series.
English Class Offerings
In-person Class (English)
Tuesdays
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The next class series will begin on August 6, 2024.
In-person Class (English)
Tuesdays
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
The next class series will begin on September 3, 2024.
Virtual Class
(English)
Tuesdays
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The next class series will begin on June 6, 20233.
Spanish Class Offerings
In-person Class (Español)
Tuesdays
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
The next class series will begin on October 1, 2024.
Virtual Class (Español)
Thursdays
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
The next class series will begin on August 4, 2022
Need to be added to the wait list?
Did you try to register for current classes, but received a “Classes are Full” message? No worries, add yourself to the wait list here:
Cooking Classes Calendar
Cook Well, Be Well Class Schedule
Week 1
Getting Comfortable in the Kitchen
Introduction, safety and sanitation, and knife skills
- Techniques: Baking and roasting
- Techniques: Emulsifying
- Skills: Knife skills
- Skills: Proper measurement
- 9 principles of the Mediterranean Diet
- Kitchen and safety overview
- Proper portions
- Nutrition labels
- Reading a recipe
Week 2
Building a Meal
Basic meal preparation and essential cooking tools
- Techniques: Grilling
- Techniques: Sauces and marinades
- Skills: Using a thermometer
- Skills: Cooking to the proper temperature
- Skills: Knife skills
- Skills: Food safety
- Cuts of meat: healthier choices
- How to stock a kitchen
- How to select, use, and clean essential cooking tools
Week 3
Pantry Basics
Stocking a kitchen and building flavor
- Techniques: stewing, braising, and sautéing
- Skills: Knife skills
- Skills: Brown rice
- How to stock a pantry, refrigerator, and freezer
- Learning the difference between herbs and spices
- Cooking with healthy fats
- Cooking with canned goods
Week 4
Cooking on a Budget
Using foods in season, batch cooking and food storage
- Techniques: steaming, simmering and boiling
- Skills: Knife skills
- Foods in season and why to use them
- Choosing and storing fruits and vegetables
- Budget cooking
- Batch cooking and foods that freeze well
- Using ingredients for multiple meals
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn how Cook Well, Be Well works!
The Cook Well, Be Well classes are for beginning cooks who want to develop their skills and confidence in the kitchen and for advanced cooks who want to learn to cook healthier.
Each session—whether in-person or virtual—includes a nutrition presentation from a registered dietician, demonstrations and how-to instruction from our professional cooking instructors, hands on cooking (in-person classes cook in a group), a nutritional review of the recipes, tasting, along with copies of recipes and handouts, and plenty of opportunity for questions.
Each person who attends the in-person class must register separately. For virtual classes, we welcome other members of your household and friends to cook along with you.
Almost the entire Cook Well, Be Well curriculum can be done with basic equipment—knife, bowls, spoons, pans. There are a few recipes that specify special equipment—food processor, muffin pan—but we send out an equipment list with each weekly shopping list that includes equipment substitutions and the option to cook an alternative recipe.
For in-person classes, enough food is made by each group for everyone in the class to have a taste. For virtual classes, each person will cook a recipe that serves 8 (or you can cut in half to serve 4) and you and your family and friends can enjoy the entire dish.
The Cook Well, Be Well classes build on each other. What’s learned in class 1 is used in class 2, etc. While sometimes it may be necessary to miss a class, we ask that participants commit to all 4 weeks.
Yes! Each week of Cook Well, Be Well utilizes several recipes and the focus on technique shows you how to adjust for personal taste and food allergies.
For in-person classes, children 16 and older must register separately to attend. Children under 16 are not permitted in classes. For virtual classes, children who can follow along and participate in the process are welcome and encouraged to help you cook.
Not yet!
We send a shopping list and copy of the recipe the weekend before each week’s class. It will also list any equipment needed.
No, you can use any device that will run the Zoom app (phone, tablet) to take the virtual class.
Meet Your Cooking Class Instructors
To contact our instructors please send an email to nutrition@churchhealth.org
Nutrition Hub Library
The Nutrition Hub library is a resource for Cook Well, Be Well participants to continue to practice their healthier cooking skills using the recipes, handouts, and cooking skill videos provided. Feel free to print the recipes and create your own recipe book and references.
Participants have access to the Nutrition Hub library for three months after completing the Cook Well, Be Well course (in-person or virtual).
