Without a doubt, the new kitchen in the Department of Nutrition Sciences is a chef’s kiss – it will “significantly enhance the department’s research, education, clinical and community outreach capabilities.”
But just like any five-star culinary offering, there are plenty of delicious layers underneath waiting to be enjoyed. Upon digging in, you will understand that the UAB Teaching Kitchen is the new hub for culinary education, innovation, and connection.
Open to All
Open to UAB employees, students, families, and the Greater Birmingham community, the space features eight prep with stations, each outfitted with an induction cook top, designed for hands-on learning in a collaborative setting. Positioned front and center, the instructor station allows for the teacher to move easily between stations to offer personal guidance and encouragement.
The instructor also has a unique tool in their apron: a microphone. And that is for two reasons:
- recording of the event
- to be heard
“This is the modern version of the family meal style – like your favorite Sunday dinner where everyone is laughing and the room gets loud,” says Maddison Garcia, MS, RD, LD, UAB Teaching Kitchen instructor. “It’s an interactive experience that feeds on the recognition of a community and builds on the sense of togetherness. The groups we’ve hosted have all walked away feeling closer than they were before.”
Sizzling Group Experiences
The UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences predates UAB itself. They have a decades’ long history of multidisciplinary teams integrating their scientific work into Birmingham and global communities. The UAB Teaching Kitchen is a continuation of the department’s visionary dedication to making their innovations available to the public.
The UAB Teaching Kitchen is a purpose-built space run by dietitians, researchers, and culinary professionals. The kitchen is specced out with a customized audiovisual system designed to enhance teaching, learning, and engagement with capabilities for live viewing and recording through video conferencing platforms. Their team is trained to partner with yours, regardless of location.
“Preparing food is a powerful way to build connection and community” says Barbara Gower, Ph.D., chair, Department of Nutrition Sciences. “It means coaching, collaborating, and most importantly, celebrating together over a finished meal.”
Private dietitian-led cooking classes in the UAB Teaching Kitchen include:
- Team Building Events
- Department Retreats
- Special Group Experiences
- Public Cooking Classes Student Organizations
- Culinary Labs
- Online and in-person academic Instruction
Modern Mediterranean Kitchen Cooking Class Series
This semester, the UAB Teaching Kitchen is offering a four-class cooking series focused on Mediterranean-inspired health-forward cooking. They stirred these classes up to teach innovative and everyday techniques that make Mediterranean-style eating approachable and sustainable.
“These sessions are personalized to work with every skill level; from the seasoned chef looking sharpen their culinary nutrition skills, to the newcomer who has yet to learn the difference between a serrated knife and a paring knife,” says Kelly Berg, MS, RDN, LDN, director, UAB Teaching and Metabolic Kitchens. “And we provide everything – the ingredients, the bowls, the spatulas, the skillets, the spoons – all we ask you to bring is your curiosity and your appetite.”
Four in-person sessions are scheduled for this cooking class series, and you’ll want to register soon as space is limited. Attend one or you can attend them all depending on availability:
- March 5th – Ricotta Gnocchi Pomodoro
- March 12th – Sheet Pan Salmon
- April 2nd – Honey-Lemon Chicken Souvlaki and Tzatziki Sauce
- April 23rd – Seafood Paella with Basque Cheesecake
To register for events offered by the UAB Teaching Kitchen, click here.
For additional information or questions about team building events, organization retreats, special group experiences and more, email Maddison Garcia at mlgarci2@uab.edu.
