Teaching Kitchen

  • by Julia Holland

The Teaching Kitchen holistically supports students in their journey to nourish themselves by providing a supportive space and community for learning, sharing and collaboration around food. We believe food is more than sustenance; it’s a powerful medium for connection, creativity and change.

Program email address: [email protected]

Upcoming Events

Teaching Kitchen Presents CHOPPED

Join us at the Food Innovation Lab for a Chopped-style cooking showdown featuring FOUR teams battling it out in the kitchen! From mystery ingredients to high-pressure challenges, creativity and skill will be put to the test as our judges decide who deserves the top spot. Winning team will earn coveted prizes! RSVP here. Sign ups fill up fast!

Date: Tuesday, May 19th, 2026

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: The Food Innovation Lab, which is located on the first floor of the Robert Mondavi Institute. 392 Old Davis Road, Davis CA, 95616

Collaborate with us!

Collaborations with the Teaching Kitchen are open! Are you part of a registered student organization or student center and are interested in hosting a Hands On Cooking Session or Workshop? DM the TK Instagram (@ucdteachingkitchen) or email us at [email protected]. Include your organization's name, a general event idea, and some rough date options. If you want to be considered for a collaboration, send us a proposal by Wednesday, April 15th.

Our Work

We share practical cooking skills, delicious recipes and create nutritious, budget-friendly, and culturally relevant culinary education fit for the busy college student. This includes:

  • Hands-on-learning opportunities where students can cook, share meals and learn together
  • Workshops that focus on varied nourishment topics
  • Social media posts that provide accessible information on nourishment, cooking strategies, budgeting, meal planning, grocery shopping strategies, food selection, food preparation and resourceful eating

Core Values

We believe nourishment is personal and encompasses overall well-being. It is doing what feels good mentally, emotionally and physically, both in the short term and long term. The following values guide our work in supporting students’ nourishment journeys:

  • Holistic Support
  • Resourceful Eating
  • Community Building
  • Peer-to-Peer Learning
  • Cultural Humility
  • Sustainability
  • Joy