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
Coming Soon: All-in-One Cooking Class
Available once a month, this is a condensed version of our Cook Well, Be Well series. Get a taste of the full class by signing up for our 2-hour overview session and start building healthy cooking habits today.
In-person Cooking Classes (English)
This class is held in the Nutrition Hub cooking kitchen with instructors and other classmates.
Tuesdays
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
The next class series will begin on September 8, 2026
Tuesdays
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The next class series will begin on October 6, 2026
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.
Tuesdays
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
The next class series will begin on September 8, 2026
Self-paced Cooking Classes
Available 24/7 (Virtual/Online)
This class is for children (ages 6+) and families the sessions prepare them for safe, fun and healthy experiences in the kitchen!
*Childcare is provided for children under 6 years old.
Questions?
Please contact us at thewell@churchhealth.org
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
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
A Taste of Cook Well, Be Well!
Wondering what our Cook Well, Be Well classes are like? This video gives you a preview of the hands-on cooking skills, helpful tips, and delicious, nourishing recipes you’ll experience in class. Join Church Health Culinary Instructor Sheri McKelvie as she walks through a simple, flavorful dish—just one of many you’ll learn to make.
Ready to build confidence in the kitchen and cook for better health? Sign up today!
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).
Proud Sponsor of Cook Well, Be Well
Thanks to the generous support of Samaritan Biologics, this educational series addresses the root causes of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and more, empowering participants to live healthier lives. Together, we’re treating the whole person and making a lasting impact in our community.
Registration for this class is currently closed. Check back here for future class dates.