You know those meals that leave lasting impressions? The ones shared with amazing people and riddled with laughter, lingering conversation, and a sublime meal that leaves you full, both in belly and heart? Last night was that kind of experience.
When I decided to move back to Louisiana after living in Nashville for two years, I knew but three things for sure— I aspired to: 1) launch a full-time private practice, 2) invest in the community by starting a community and/or school garden, and 3) I dreamed of hosting monthly cooking class events to inspire people to get back into the kitchen and create their own beautiful meals — somewhat of a lost art in this era of fast and convenient food.
In July, one-month after opening the doors to my practice, I decided it was time to start the cooking classes, and HWH Cooking School was born. The concept: Students create a yummy 5-course meal using wholesome ingredients, enjoy a little wine and a lot of conversation with friends and strangers alike, and then gather around the table to feast on their creations. In the end, it's my hope that people are empowered and enlightened by the experience of learning how to create simple, delicious meals full of flavor and nutrients. Then, the idea is that participants will take the recipes home and make them again and again, sharing wholesome dishes with friends and family, therefore, also improving their health. I like to think of it as a gift that keeps on giving, so to speak.
This month's menu — my favorite so far (but I say that every time...):
In July, one-month after opening the doors to my practice, I decided it was time to start the cooking classes, and HWH Cooking School was born. The concept: Students create a yummy 5-course meal using wholesome ingredients, enjoy a little wine and a lot of conversation with friends and strangers alike, and then gather around the table to feast on their creations. In the end, it's my hope that people are empowered and enlightened by the experience of learning how to create simple, delicious meals full of flavor and nutrients. Then, the idea is that participants will take the recipes home and make them again and again, sharing wholesome dishes with friends and family, therefore, also improving their health. I like to think of it as a gift that keeps on giving, so to speak.
This month's menu — my favorite so far (but I say that every time...):
Last night — the atmosphere, warmth of guests, and the sight of everyone dining together at one long table — will be fastened in my memory for years to come. The act of preparing and sharing a meal together is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful, spiritual exchanges. It symbolizes of harmony and unity (something that only Jesus could ever perfectly actualize). Acts 2:4-6 portrays this idea and the meaning behind Thanksgiving so well— "They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts."
With November being all about giving thanks and showing gratitude, a portion of the proceeds from this month's class were contributed to Pilots for Patients (PFP). This Louisiana-based non-profit serves patients across the state who are in need of treatments unavailable to them locally. Utilizing volunteer pilots, PFP flies these patients to their hospital treatments, reducing travel time, lifting a burden — financially, emotionally, and physically — and allowing them to focus on what's most important: healing and getting well again. Amazing work this non-profit does. With this month's class, we were honored to invest in the health and lives of these patients, ensuring families with sick loved ones spend as little time traveling to hospital treatments, and as much time at home this holiday season.
With November being all about giving thanks and showing gratitude, a portion of the proceeds from this month's class were contributed to Pilots for Patients (PFP). This Louisiana-based non-profit serves patients across the state who are in need of treatments unavailable to them locally. Utilizing volunteer pilots, PFP flies these patients to their hospital treatments, reducing travel time, lifting a burden — financially, emotionally, and physically — and allowing them to focus on what's most important: healing and getting well again. Amazing work this non-profit does. With this month's class, we were honored to invest in the health and lives of these patients, ensuring families with sick loved ones spend as little time traveling to hospital treatments, and as much time at home this holiday season.
I look forward to these classes each month; it has become a passion project. From creating the menus to interacting with new and returning guests and seeing the menu come to life at the actual event, this has become one of my all-time favorite gigs. I hope you join us for future classes, which you can stay up to date on by subscribing to the HWH Newsletter (below), following on social media, and checking back here on the website under the "Event" section.
RSS Feed