Cooking Techniques and Skills

At Seattle Cucina, we focus on practical and accessible cooking. Our hope is for students to replicate at home what they learn in our programs. In all of our classes we teach fundamental techniques and skills such as knife use, baking and sautéing, basic food safety, sourcing ingredients, and planning and budgeting meals.

Social Impacts and Food Cultures

Cooking is an important form of cultural expression. In our classes we encourage students to take pride in their personal identities through food. We discuss the current American food culture and the value of preparing and sharing food with others. Through this, we challenge students to expand their palates and have fun exploring new dishes.

Environmental Impacts

We believe that understanding where our food comes from is key to making conscientious decisions about what we eat. That is why we teach students about the environmental impacts of agriculture, seafood and meat production, and food waste. We encourage students to explore alternatives such as gardening, sourcing locally and seasonally, and reducing consumption of foods harmful to the environment. 

All of the ingredients used in our classes adhere to these values. 

Healthy Eating

A healthy diet requires both an understanding of basic nutritional concepts and a positive relationship with food. While preparing tasty dishes, we discuss topics such as food groups, nutrients, and the diet-disease connection. All of our classes emphasize mindful cooking and eating. Mindfulness addresses the effects of a negative relationship with food including self-esteem, body image, and the development of eating disorders. 

We believe that variety and moderation are key to healthy eating. 

Food Systems

In our classes, students learn to ask questions about the industries and governments that impact their food choices. We delve into topics ranging from consumer power to the role of the USDA. While we primarily focus on local and national food systems, some classes explore international food systems and the power dynamics within them.