Food as Medicine Events and Classes

Institutes & Centers / Center for Integrative Health / Events & Classes / Food as Medicine Events and Classes

Culinary Medicine Events

john and carrie hayden community learning kitchen Join us in the new John & Carrie Hayden Community Learning Kitchen, the region’s first Academic Community Learning Kitchen, a 1,409-square-foot kitchen featuring five hands-on cooking stations designed for learning by doing. Bright and spacious, the Learning Kitchen features individual cooking stations designed for hands-on learning, with generous countertops and seating around a central bar that encourages conversation and connection. Led by Chef Stephanie White, EdD, a chef, educator and researcher, the Culinary Medicine Program translates nutrition science into real-world skills. Classes make healthy eating practical, enjoyable, and empowering.

John & Carrie Hayden Community Learning Kitchen Location

The John & Carrie Hayden Community Learning Kitchen in the Osher Wellness Suite is on the 5^th Floor of the Blood Cancer Healing Center 3232 Healing Way, Cincinnati, OH 45229 with free, on-site parking available in the attached garage. If entering from the parking garage, head straight back past the registration desk to the elevators (on your left). Take the elevators to level 5. Once off the elevators, enter through the double doors and head straight back to the Learning Kitchen. Note: Bus stop (lines 51, 46, 36) available in front of the building 3229 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati OH 45229.

a picnic blanket placed on grass and basket with a bouquet of flowers and fresh fruit

VIRTUAL KITCHEN Quick, Healthy Summer Snacks | Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 10-11 a.m.

Summer is full of on-the-go activities for many—make sure your snacks can keep up with you! In this one-hour virtual session, Chef Stephanie, EdD, will demonstrate quick, nutrient-dense snack ideas that work for busy families, professionals, students, and anyone looking for healthier options between meals.
You’ll learn:
- How to build snacks that keep you energized and satisfied
- Easy ideas that use common pantry and seasonal ingredients
- Simple prep tips to save time during busy summer days
After the session, participants will receive:
- A digital collection of recipes featured in class
- Access to the class recording so you can revisit the content anytime

Instructed by: Chef Stephanie White, EdD, Culinary Medicine Director
Cost: $5
Register Now via the Osher Registration System. First time logging in or need assistance? View the Osher Registration System Guide.

hands holding freshly picked tomatoes placing them in a basket

Harvesting Health: Seasonal Cooking & Eating | Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.

Join Chef Stephanie, EdD, in the John & Carrie Hayden Community Learning Kitchen for an evening of seasonal culinary medicine in action. Explore the evidence-based benefits of seasonal eating while gaining practical, hands-on skills to bring more seasonal foods to your table.
Participants will learn how to identify, select, and store peak-season ingredients and how to build approachable base recipes that support meal planning and prep while leaving room for the spontaneity of farmers’ market finds. The class will conclude with a shared, family-style meal featuring the dishes prepared together during the session.
Recipe: In the spirit of using in-season ingredients, the dishes may vary on availability the week of the class. Some example items might include: a variety of seasonal dips, a whole-grain salad with local herbs and roasted vegetables, braised tomatoes and white beans, and a few other surprises. Please email Chef Stephanie in advance if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions so we can accommodate them.
Instructed by: Chef Stephanie White, EdD, Osher Culinary Medicine Director
Sliding Scale Fee based on affiliation: $60 Community Care Rate, $75 Sustainer Rate, $90 Supporter Rate, and includes an evidence-based presentation, learning kitchen experience, and healthy meal.
Register Now via the Osher Registration System. First time logging in or need assistance? View the Osher Registration System Guide.

Paint Your Plate: Edible Still Life | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.

Join Dr. Rastogi and Chef Stephanie for a special class that combines art therapy and culinary medicine into a delicious evening experience!
Participants will first explore evidence-based reasons to integrate phytonutrients into their everyday lives and bring a variety of colors to their meals, while Chef Stephanie creates still-life models for participants to use in class. Then, participants will have the option to choose from a variety of media, be guided through mindful observation to create a visual art still life by Dr. Rastogi, and finish the session by putting together their own nutrient-dense whole-grain bowl to enjoy for dinner before the class concludes.
Snacks will also be provided during the session while creating artwork, and no prior art or culinary experience is necessary, just a willingness to engage in the process.
Instructed by:
- Meera Rastogi, PhD, ATR-BC®, LPAT
- Chef Stephanie White, EdD, Osher Culinary Medicine Director
Cost: Sliding Scale Fee based on affiliation: $60 Community Care Rate, $75 Sustainer Rate, $90 Supporter Rate, and includes an evidence-based presentation, learning kitchen experience, and healthy meal.
Register via the Osher Registration System. First time logging in or need assistance? View the Osher Registration System Guide.

a bowl with tofu pudding with ginger syrup

Energetics of Food from a TCM Perspective | Monday, August 17, 2026 from 1-2 p.m.

Spend an hour in the John & Carrie Hayden Community Learning Kitchen with Angela Lai, Licensed Acupuncturist, to gain an introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the concept of food energetics. We’ll explore how the properties of everyday ingredients can support personal health, then watch these ideas come to life in a step-by-step demonstration and tasting of a classic dim sum dessert that highlights TCM principles: tofu pudding with ginger syrup.
Instructed by:
- Angela C. Lai, LAc
- Chef Stephanie White, EdD, Osher Culinary Medicine Director
Cost: Sliding Scale Fee based on affiliation: $10 Community Care Rate, $15 Sustainer Rate, $20 Supporter Rate, and includes an evidence-based presentation, learning kitchen experience, and healthy meal.
Register via the Osher Registration System. First time logging in or need assistance? View the Osher Registration System Guide.

Collaborative Teaching Kitchen Events around Cincinnati

The Osher Center partners with Teaching Kitchens around Cincinnati to offer experiential learning opportunities focused on food as medicine for patients, students, and the community to learn from our physicians and cook a healthy meal.

Turner Farm Teaching Kitchen events occur in Indian Hill, Ohio. Past events have included Optimizing Your Brain Health through Farm Fresh Foods (Mladen Golubic, MD, PhD), Cooking for Cancer Prevention & Recurrence (Mladen Golubic, MD, PhD), and Preventing Cancer through Healthy Choices: A Scientific Approach (Rekha Chaudhary, MD).
The Food as Medicine Series at the Cr(EAT)e Culinary Studio at the Cincinnati Museum Center has featured topics such as Cooking for Gut Health (Lauri Nandyal, MD)

Save the Date for Upcoming Teaching Kitchen Events

7/14/2026: Food & Cardiovascular Health with Florence Rothenberg, MD, at the Barn Studio at Turner Farm

Learn More about Culinary Medicine

UC Health Thrive & Be Well UC Points

UC Health Associates

UC Health associates are eligible for up to 200 THRIVE points per month for attending Integrative Medicine classes/events. How to redeem points in the THRIVE app: click on “Rewards.” Scroll down to “Integrative Medicine.” Fill in all required fields and upload proof (registration confirmation, etc.) then click “submit.”

Be Well UC - UC Faculty/Staff

Eligible faculty and staff can earn 1,000+ Be Well UC points in the Personify Health portal with UC’s employee wellness program for attending offerings with the Osher Center for Integrative Health, and earn up to $300 every calendar year. Get started by creating an account or logging in, click the “Home” icon near the top, then, click “Rewards”. Scroll (or search) to the “Participation” category. Click “Attend a UC sponsored event”. Fill out a brief form and submit!