Guests from The Benjamin House enjoy cooking classes in the Food Bank Teaching Kitchen
Some of our favorite guests are residents from the Benjamin House. Once a month, residents have a private class in the kitchen, led by Food Bank Nutrition Educators Melissa Martin and Ann Thomas.
The residents get hands-on learning how to make a variety of healthy dishes including pita pizzas, turkey tacos, bean quesadillas, and desserts like apple crisps.
All of the recipes are part of the Cooking Matters curriculum, which helps encourage healthy, fresh food without sacrificing flavor.
Melissa and Ann also teach classes offsite as part of the Food Bank’s nutrition outreach program at multiple county senior centers, the Pasquotank Library, local elementary schools, and an upcoming class at the Currituck YMCA.
“I love to teach how small changes in your diet can add up and make a huge difference in your overall health,” Melissa says. “I like making quick and healthy meals. As much as I love to cook, I like to prepare recipes that do not use a lot of complicated ingredients: recipes that are easy enough for everyone of all skill levels and can be made at home. “
Some future Cooking Matters recipes on the horizon include a Salmon Pasta Bake and Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegetables. Meals like these are one-pan recipes that include ingredients from several components of the My Plate* guide for healthy eating.
The Teaching Kitchen is a hands-on learning lab for everyone to try new techniques and foods. Ann enjoys the engagement and joy the residents bring to the interactive classes.
“The residents have made a variety of healthy recipes such as stir fry using beef and turkey to demonstrate the difference between the two meats,” says Ann Thomas. “We’ve also done mini pizzas using different types of vegetables and turkey tacos. They have made a healthy version of tomato sauce, and they have also made apple crisp using granola. I believe the residents enjoyed making pizza and stir-fry. I enjoy seeing the participants’ faces light up when they realize that they have created a meal that they can eat and share with their friends.”
The Food Bank’s Teaching Kitchen first opened in early 2023, in partnership with Sentara. The kitchen launched as a space not only for neighbors coming to the food pantry, but as a community resource.
“At Sentara, we know that health begins long before someone walks into a hospital,” said Teresa Watson, President, Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. “By investing in the Food Bank’s Teaching Kitchen, we’re helping provide families with practical tools, nutrition education, and access to healthy foods that can prevent chronic diseases and strengthen our community’s overall well-being.”
For More Information on classes in the Food Bank’s Teaching Kitchen contact: Melissa Martin or Ann Thomas
* My Plate is now known as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
