Early Bird

Learn from a chef in your kitchen

Starting Wednesday, the School of Hospitality launches live weekly cooking demonstrations you can take part in via Facebook Live.

By Cory Phare

June 9, 2020

Looking to hone your skills in the kitchen? Metropolitan State University of Denver’s School of Hospitality is launching a weekly live cooking series and inviting participants to join in via its Facebook page.

The idea came together from a team brainstorming session to increase visibility, said Jason Rice, food-service coordinator for the school.

“Dean (Christian) Hardigree provided some inspiration from some Instagram live videos, as well as from some videos she saw on ‘Good Morning America,’” Rice recalled. “We still want to do virtual cooking classes, and we also thought Facebook Live could be a good way to increase traffic to those virtual cooking sessions.”

Each Wednesday at 4 p.m., Rice and his compatriots will lead attendees through easy-to-follow recipes including chicken tinga tacos, easy chicken tikka masala with premade ingredients and a kicked-up packaged ramen dish, all taking place on Facebook Live.

Chefs will provide the recipe and list of items for those who want to follow along at home. Live questions can be submitted via chat if things aren’t going as planned. The crew intends to explore locavorism as a sustainable approach to sourcing ingredients. And for those who’d prefer to just watch, it’s a glimpse into the mind – and kitchens – of MSU Denver’s culinary experts.

“We can address specific individual questions when they come up and share some knowledge, recipes, tips and advice, all in real time,” Rice said. “Plus, we try to be entertaining and approachable without being intimidating.”

For more information, contact Rice or Career Advisor Jimi Webb.