For many students, college is the first time in their lives when they have to prepare their own meals three times a day, seven days a week. When students are crunched for time and simply can’t afford to waste a minute to make meals, one solution is to head over to the Student Union Memorial Center and grab a bite. However, it could be argued that the food court and its fast food restaurants don’t offer the healthiest options for students to eat every day.
In an attempt to spread a love for cooking and help teach students how to prepare quick, healthy meals, Cooking on Campus was launched in spring 2011.
“[The goal is to] teach attendees how to gain confidence in the kitchen through learning recipe preparation, strengthening cooking techniques, improving creativity and improvisational skills, and understanding what constitutes ‘healthy’ food,” said Sarah Marrs, a nutrition counselor at Campus Health Service.
Every other Tuesday in the Outdoor Adventure section of the Student Recreation Center, the class begins at 5:15 p.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. During each class, students will learn how to cook a new recipe that is healthy and will be provided with helpful tips for general cooking. The class doesn’t only teach how to prepare meals; the official website also highlights other aspects of the class.
“You’ll learn what to shop for on a student budget,” the site states, “and get answers to your burning nutrition questions from people who are passionate about great-tasting food!”
The classes are all taught by student chefs, most of whom are a part of the Student Health Advocacy Committee, which helps sponsor the classes. Class sizes are generally upwards of 20 people.
In order to participate in Cooking on Campus, students must register online at the Rec Center website by the Friday before the class. Alternatively, they can simply show up to class and pay in cash at the door. The cost is $5.
After washing hands, putting on gloves and choosing a station, students are led through the recipe step-by-step by the student chefs. After the food has been prepared, students can either eat the meal right then, or they are given the option to package it and take it home to save for later.
This semester, class themes will vary from guilt-free desserts to herb-based dishes.
“We are trying to reach all UA students,” Marrs said. “The classes are fun for both beginner and amateur [cooks] alike. We typically develop our recipes to be simple, healthy, affordable and dorm- or apartment-friendly.”
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