An Aramark chef teaches York University students how to prepare their own healthy meals
Missing out on home-cooked meals shouldn’t have to be a sacrifice as a student. York University’s Food Services, in partnership with Aramark and the Health Education Team, has introduced a series of cooking classes for students catered to simple and healthy recipes that can be made right in residence.
Open to all students, but targeting residence students as participants, Aramark’s chefs provide a tutorial on everything in the kitchen, from how to properly cut vegetables to what ingredients work best in different recipes. Not only do the students get to watch these customized lessons from professional chefs, but they also then have the opportunity to work right in the kitchen and create an entrée from scratch. Meals that have been made in the past include vegan potato Kati wraps, personalized pizzas, rice paper spring rolls and different types of stir-fry.
Due to the growing popularity of these cooking classes, Food Services has expanded to the Glendon campus, hosting a total of four classes this past academic year. Aramark has also recently brought in a dietetic intern to speak to students about the ingredients and nutrients in the recipes; teach them about portion sizes, different dietary substitutes and food safety regulations; and to answer any questions about nutrition.
The cooking classes are free for students and will be resuming in the 2015-16 academic year. For more information, visit the Food Services website.