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| First Cooking Well class held in the Samford teaching kitchens for Bethel Baptist |
The Cooking Well program continues to expand into more communities and in the partnership with Samford University’s Nutrition and Dietetic Department. The groundwork and fundamentals of the program have been laid during this past year with the assistance of dedicated and energized undergraduate nutrition interns, and with crucial research and development contributions from graduate students in their Dietetic Internship rotation.
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CSM's Jamie Leo with
Samford's Dr. Pat Terry(r) |
Samford faculty has invested time and energy to allocate students whose passions and study-focus line up with our objectives, and to pave the way for the Cooking Well program to be held in one of the teaching kitchen spaces housed in the new Health Science Building (former Southern Living/Cooking Light test kitchens). This opportunity allows the class participants to learn cooking techniques and culinary skills in the multiple kitchen stations, along with a high level of nutrition education.
The pilot session at Samford has been a great success, with a leadership team from Bethel Baptist Church in Collegeville brought to the program by Pastor Thomas Wilder’s wife, Mechelle. The class was taught and facilitated by Samford nutrition students, CSM staff and volunteers. Dr. Patricia Terry, Samford Nutrition Professor who opened the kitchen labs to CSM, spoke to encourage and honor the participants at the graduation dinner where certificates were awarded. Pat shared the premise— and gave each graduate a copy— of her book, “Made for Paradise,” which paints a picture of God’s original plan for healthy eating, physical activity and rest.
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| Mechelle Wilder speaks at graduation |
eMeals co-founder, Jenny Cochran, inspired us with her healthy and happy family perspective, and Mechelle Wilder challenged everyone with the story of her life and faith journey. Mechelle and her team of amazing ladies are now casting a vision with the ladies of their church to bring Cooking Well into the North Birmingham community surrounding the church.
"We would like to thank the Christian Service Mission and Samford University for hosting Bethel Baptist Church of Collegeville in the 6-week cooking class. We were all thrilled to be instructed in cooking healthy meals in a premier commercial cooking kitchen. We are also so grateful for the fun, fellowship and new friendships established from the classes."
Mechelle Wilder and class participants
If you are interested in learning more about Cooking Well, please contact Judy Vann | judy@csmission.org.
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Allie Sanderson immediately makes everyone
comfortable and excited to learn |
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| Samford Nutrition interns helping Allie plate the meal |
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| Samford interns helping to make the logistics work... |
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| ... and wash the dishes! |
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| Fresh and healthy cooking techniques |
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| A happy and welcoming environment |
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| Jamie Leo and Kirsten Agee from CSM brought their mad culinary skills |
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| Jane DeLaney, eMeals founder, joins in the class |
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| 'Chef' Janice Vickers |
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| Nutrition class time with Dietetic Intern, Caitlyn Sloane |
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| Fresh herbs from the CSM gardens |
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| Washing lettuces harvested from the CSM hydroponic greenhouse |
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| Commensality every week! |
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Graduates of the six-week program received a framed certificate,
a Cooking Well apron, a copy of Dr. Terry's book, and a one-year
eMeals subscription given by co-founder Jenny Cochran(r) |
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| Graduation dinner by candlelight |
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Mechelle Wilder received her Cooking Well Certificate
and graduation gifts with smiles all around |
