HARRISBURG, Pa. —  A unique cooking class series is taking root in Harrisburg, combining culinary skills with lessons on self-care and financial well-being. 

The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region has launched a six-week program aimed at individuals of all experience levels, promoting healthier eating habits while teaching participants how to save money on groceries.

For Harrisburg resident David Bosserman, cooking is second nature. “I’ve done it for over 20 years,” he stated, reflecting on his experience in quick-service restaurant kitchens. 

However, Bosserman acknowledges that there’s always room for improvement. “For me, it’s just taking classes to learn new recipes and learn something I might’ve missed,” he said.

Not all students in the Salvation Army’s test kitchen are seasoned chefs. Throughout the course, participants learn essential culinary skills, including how to transform staple ingredients into healthy meals. 

Samantha Maurer from the Salvation Army explained, “This [class] is teaching how to work with the food that you have to really elevate it and make it a healthier option.” 

While healthier options often come with a higher price tag, Maurer emphasized that this program offers budget-friendly alternatives. 

“A lot of the things that we use can be found in our food pantry,” she noted, emphasizing accessible nutrition.

The class goes beyond culinary skills and promotes mental health by creating a mindful cooking experience. 

“When they come in, they can leave their personal stuff and the things that they’re struggling with at home, at home, and really focus on themselves,” Maurer stated. 

For Bosserman, cooking acts as a form of relaxation. 

“I may have 10 different things cooking at once, but I’m calm,” he said.

After an hour of cooking, students get to taste their unique creations, sharing a meal and cooking up a community.

“They form their own community and chat about different recipes and what they’re learning in the class,” Maurer said  

Those interested in joining this cooking community still have time to enroll, as registration will remain open until Feb. 25. More details about the course and enrollment can be found here.