As a way to create a vibrant campus and transformational residential life experience at the College, a series of monthly classes called Teaching Kitchen are being held on the Winona Campus in Toner Student Center dining room with Chartwells Chef Jim Esser and Saint Mary’s Dietitian Sarah Nicklay. Teaching Kitchen offers education in basic cooking techniques in addition to enhanced nutrition. The initial classes, held during Welcome Weekend involved 25 student participants (which was the maximum capacity). These students learned hands-on knife skills and used these skills to make pico de gallo and pineapple mango salsa. At the end of the class, the students ate their creations with chicken fajitas and took their salsas and recipes home with them. The first class was free to participants, and the remaining classes will cost one meal swipe. The next Teaching Kitchen class will be held Oct. 6 with a theme of eating local. The class will begin with a trip to the Winona Farmer’s Market to purchase ingredients. Students will be able to sign up the week prior to the class at the Toner Student Center dining room register or at dineoncampus.com/saintmarys.