Your health is in your hands...In Mettler Cooking School, we teach you how to take good nutrition home to your own kitchen.

The Mettler Cooking School offers courses for a wide variety of populations, from those interested in weight loss to those who simply want to explore the creative nature of whole grain bread baking. The array of classes share a common theme of food as the key to better health and meals as an opportunity for sharing and gathering with our families and friends. The classes are designed to demystify and simplify healthy cooking by offering time-saving tips, up-to-date nutrition education, information on healthy food preparation, and lots of easy and adaptable recipes that take little time to prepare. Mettler Cooking School is for people of all ages and abilities who believe that there is a significant connection between food and better health.

Cooking School Classes

Classes vary from month-to-month. However, our theme remains the same. We want to show you how you can eat healthy…simply! We're always trying new classes, and you can expect to see different classes each month. Previous classes have included: Meals in 30 Minutes, Healthy and Cost Effective Meals, and Winetasting 101. Two of our "staple" classes include Everyday Cooking and Kids Cook. For a listing of this month's cooking classes and seminars, check out the Mettler University calendar.

Everyday Cooking

Everyday Cooking offers quick and easy solutions to "everday" cooking dilemmas. Receive great tips and ideas for how to prepare simple, healthy, and delicious foods, along with healthy cooking techiques. Not only will you get to taste the wonderful food prepared, but also go home with some great recipes.

Healthy Cooking Techniques

Healthy cooking doesn't mean that you have to become a gourmet chef or invest in expensive cookware. Eating better should be a top priority. You can use basic cooking techniques to prepare food in healthy ways. Preparing healthy food can be an easier, more enjoyable part of your day. This hands-on class uses methods to best capture the flavor and retain the nutrients in your food without adding excessive amounts of fat or salt. Use them often to prepare your favorite dishes. Some of the techniques include: baking, roasting, sautéing, broiling, and using herbs and spices.

Coffee Shop Treats

With a little thought and planning, your morning coffee or tea can be perfectly paired with delectable and homemade treats, just like at your favorite coffee shop. These morning treats will provide you with a delicious and healthy start to your day. Learn how to make and sample scones, biscotti, and whole grain muffins. Refreshments also include Mocha Coffee and Chai Tea.

Kids Cook

What a better way to learn than by doing! Kids Cook participants learn to take health into their own hands by making wholesome snacks and meals using healthy ingredients and a big dose of fun! Participants will also learn how to choose healthier foods when eating out. Children age 5–11 are involved in preparation of healthy foods, discussions, and sampling. Children under 5 should be accompanied by a parent.

"Fit and Fun" Birthday Parties

Have your cake and eat it, too, with a Mettler birthday party! Children are guided by a birthday leader in mixing their own personal birthday cakes and decorating their chef hats. While cakes are baking and cooling, the children enjoy fun games and exercises with Fit Force personnel. When finished, each child has their own cake ready to decorate and EAT! The birthday child then opens presents. Total time: 2 hours. Parties are typically held on Saturday mornings or afternoons. If a different day and time are requested, we will do our best to accommodate the party based on staff and room availability. There is a 6 child minimum and 12 child maximum, including the birthday boy or girl. Cost is $135 for 6–8 participants, and $10 for each additional child. For more information or to schedule a party, contact Mary Knight, Mettler University Coordinator, at 356-6543.

The following items are provided by Mettler:

• Individual cakes and cake decorations
• Individual paper chef hats to decorate
• Candles for birthday child’s cake
• All paperware (plates, napkin, cups, and utensils)
• Drink (each child gets a juice box of 100% Juice)
• Decorations (in the form of balloons)
• Invitations to send to invitees

Kids Cooking Camps

Kids Can Cook Camp

Kids Can Cook Camp is a 3-day, healthy cooking and fitness day camp just for kids. In this hands-on experience children learn about healthy eating from County Market's very own nutritionist. Children then apply this new-found nutrition knowledge in the kitchen—not only learning healthy cooking techniques, but also preparing a nutritious kid-friendly lunch with our Mettler cooking staff. And because a healthy lifestyle includes exercise, children participate in age appropriate physical activity led by a Mettler FitForce Staff. Additionally, children will receive their own apron, cooking utensils, and recipe book. Cost is $105 for members, $120 for non-members. For more information or to register your child, contact Mary Knight, Mettler University Coordinator, at 356-6543.

Junior Chef Camp

Junior Chef Camp is a 4-day camp for children who have attended a Kids Can Cook Camp. Junior Chefs will take their previously learned culinary skills and expand their experience in the kitchen! The Junior Chef will learn healthy cooking skills, and hands-on cooking lessons. Children will prepare a delicious and healthy lunch, and enjoy a physical fitness activity each day. Junior Chefs will receive their own Chef’s Tool Kit. Cost is $135 for members, $155 for non-members. For more information or to register your child, contact Mary Knight, Mettler University Coordinator, at 356-6543.

2012 Camp Dates:
      July 17–19 (Kids Can Cook - Ages 5–9)

      August 7–10 (Junior Chef Camp - Ages 9 and up)

Team Building

Are you looking for a new, fun and an effective way to bond with your colleagues? The Mettler Center’s Cooking School can provide a creative option for your corporate, office or department team building retreat. Team building cooking classes bring together co-workers, staff and managers. Whether you are celebrating a special achievement or developing communication skills between co-workers, the group will enjoy a fun session and delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. A cooking party is an original team-building exercise that will leave you and your guests smiling long after the cooking is done. As team members learn essential culinary techniques and master new recipes, they also strengthen bonds and relationships in a fun, informal environment. Class topics and menus are customized to meet your objectives and schedule. Classes are available as demonstrations, hands-on or combined format and range from single subject to full meal preparation. For more information or to book a team building cooking class, contact Mary Knight, Mettler University Coordinator, at 356-6543.

Special Events

Are you looking to hold an event, but don’t have a space? The Mettler Center can provide rooms and programs of your choice. Anything from cooking classes, nutrition education, personal fitness or group exercise classes for your family, company, or organization. The Mettler Center staff has the expertise to provide quality programming and education in Whole Life Fitness.