On Wednesday, September 18, residents and guests can learn more about food and how it connects to healthy living with the BeWell Live Learning Kitchen event. 

“Fresh, healthy food is very important for us here at Valley View,” Director of Nutrition Services Justin Hook said. “Sharing meals together around a table enriches all of our lives.”

Valley View partners with Cura Hospitality to provide a fresh and healthy dining experience at Valley View, and already highlights BeWell food options on its menu cycle with a distinctive BeWell Blueberry symbol, helping people to choose the healthiest options at each meal. 

During the learning kitchen event, Chef Robert Huffnagle will offer a live demonstration of cooking a healthy dish, then offer samples and an easy recipe. Dietician Ann Getz will offer nutritional facts and tips on the dish and healthy eating. Our last event featured a black bean and fresh sweet potato chili.

“The BeWell events are great ways to demonstrate how preparing healthy food can be simple and taste really good,” Hook said. He pointed to the monthly So Good specials in Valley View’s Cafe, highlighting fresh finds like blueberries in blueberry coffee cake, smoothies, and even a blueberry-bacon jam burger topping. “Good recipes don’t need to be complicated.”

Hook plans to offer the learning kitchen events quarterly, highlighting fresh fruits and vegetables as they are in season. 

This article is part of our 2024 Spring & Summer Newsletter. Find other articles or view the online newsletter here.