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Central State University Extension culinary classes cooking up change in communities
By Land-Grant Communications
Posted Jul 22 2025
Central State University’s free cooking classes offered across Cincinnati are transforming the way families eat, cook, and connect. Led by Central State University Extension Educator Tanya North, these vibrant six-week sessions bring food, fun, and education to Cincinnati communities and Ohio’s southern region.
In fact, North was delighted to hear from one of the “students” of her Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), directly from a doctor’s office visit, who texted:
“I am at the Doctor’s right now! My A1C was 8.6...now 7.1!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.”
North called it “a fantastic ‘results’ text message from one of my Findlay Market participants.”
At Cincinnati’s iconic Findlay Market, 10 participants joined North last spring to chop, stir, and sizzle their way through a menu that included vegetable stir fry, chicken quesadilla, skillet lasagna, homemade salsa, and black bean couscous salad.
“All of these classes are part of a broader effort to offer free, six-week cooking series to qualifying individuals and families in the Southern Region. These interactive courses are packed with practical lessons,” North said.
On Sunday afternoons during the winter, North and her students were at Tikkun Farm, where her hands-on classes helped them sharpen their culinary skills. Participants prepared hearty dishes, such as Southern cabbage and skillet lasagna. The classes are continuing at Tikkun Farm.
“It’s more than cooking — it’s community-building.” — Tanya North
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In classrooms across the city of Cincinnati, students are joining North in her cooking movement. During the school day at Pleasant Hill Academy, fifth- and sixth-grade students joined North in slicing fresh fruit alongside their teacher, Miss Thompson. Together, they made yogurt parfaits, a nutritious and affordable snack, during an extracurricular six-week series. Class will resume in the fall.
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In the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer kitchen, teens gathered after school — during the regular school year — to make golden French toast topped with fruit, helping them discover how easy it is to make simple, satisfying, and delicious dishes. It was held as an afterschool teen class with 10 students for six weeks. Classes are ongoing at this venue.
All of these classes are part of CSU Extension’s free six-week cooking series for qualifying individuals and families in the Southern Region. The interactive classes are packed with practical lessons:
- MyPlate and the five food groups
- Food safety
- Eating healthy on a budget
- Meal planning and prep
- Whole grains
- The importance of physical activity
- Sugar busters — and more!
Participants receive a certificate of completion and small incentive gifts, but perhaps more importantly, they gain lifelong skills to support healthier living.
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Anyone interested may qualify for a free, six-week series if they are between the ages of 18 and 26, pregnant, or a member of a limited-income family with children. For more information, contact Tanya North at tnorth1@centralstate.edu or call/text 937-993-2793.
CSU Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program offers cooking classes at various locations throughout the state.
For more information, contact Donna Kuykendall, Educator Southwest Region, at dkuykendall@centralstate.edu or Stacey Stangel, Educator Northeast Region, at sstangel@centralstate.edu.
