Teaching Professor
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

Innovation Project Title: Culinary Boot Camp for College Students - Fueling a Healthier Future

College students, fresh out of dorm life with dining hall meal plans, face a culinary conundrum. They are lost in a world of bland microwave meals and expensive takeout. Fresh produce? A distant dream. Safe food prep? A mystery. The result? Unhealthy eating habits, soaring food costs, and missed opportunities for vital life skills. Erica Beirman and two Masters of Professional Practice (MPP) students in Dietetics are creating a solution to this conundrum with a groundbreaking initiative that empowers undergraduates to create and prepare healthier, budget-friendly meals. 

Mahala Mueller andIsabel Ekwall are completing their community rotation in the MPP program and as a part of this rotation they are creating curriculum and instructing a Culinary Boot Camp Workshop for 24 students in the Culinary Creation Lab in the Student Innovation Center. IFSHN 493, a comprehensive nutrition and culinary skills course, will equip students with the know-how and confidence to create nutritious dishes with ease. The students will also receive the tools to take home and continue to implement the skills they learn in teh workshop, these include a chef knife, bamboo cutting board, thermometer, and a reusable meal prep food container. Students will also learn about food waste and sustainable food preparation techniques during the workshop.