Applied Culinary Medicine for Hormonal Health and Longevity
Presented by MacDonald Center for Nutrition Education and Research (MCNER) in partnership with Vetri Community Partnership (VCP)
Join us for a dynamic 2‑part culinary medicine series designed specifically for dietitians and nutrition professionals seeking to deepen their skills in therapeutic, food‑forward care. Through hands‑on cooking and evidence‑based nutrition education, explore how culinary medicine can be used to support women’s health and perimenopause and promote healthy aging.
Participants may register for one or both of the sessions based on their practice interests. Each session blends culinary skill‑building, learning in the kitchen and classroom, and practical strategies to help you translate nutrition science into everyday patient care.
Event Details
Time: Each session will run 3 hours (1 hour didactic plus 2 hours cooking workshop)
CPEUs: 3 CPEUs offered for each session (pending approval)
Format: Didactic education taught by MCNER complemented by participative workshops lead by VCP’s Culinary Medicine team of registered dietitians, trained chefs, and nutrition educators
Registration: Choose single session or both sessions
Price: Single session $125, 2 sessions $225; each session includes dinner, educational content, and 3 CPEs (pending approval)
Location: All programs will be held at Vetri Community Partnership’s Teaching Kitchen at 915 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Event Partners
Vetri Community Partnership’s mission is to provide nutrition education through cooking for people of all ages that nourishes minds, bodies, and communities. Vetri Community Partnership’s Culinary Medicine program features hands-on cooking workshops to enhance providers’ nutritional knowledge that can be translated into real-world applications for counseling future patients and clients. The goal is to empower providers to consider how food and diet can affect and be included in one’s well-being and treatment plan. Program participants will develop practical cooking skills while preparing recipes tailored to support healthful eating practices.
Session Descriptions
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | 5:00p – 8:00p
Discover how culinary medicine can support women experiencing perimenopause and related hormonal changes. This session highlights food‑based approaches to managing common symptoms, optimizing cardiometabolic health, supporting bone health, and promoting overall wellbeing.
What to Expect:
- Hands-on preparation in the Vetri Community Kitchen preparing nutrient‑dense recipes tailored to women’s midlife health needs.
- Explore evidence‑based dietary strategies for symptom management.
- Learn practical counseling approaches to help patients incorporate foods that support hormonal balance, gut health, and long‑term disease prevention.
Tuesday August 11, 2026 | 5:00p – 8:00p
Discover how culinary medicine can support living well across the lifespan by promoting strength, resilience, and vitality with aging. This session explores how evidence-based nutrition and practical cooking strategies can help preserve muscle mass, support metabolic and cognitive health, optimize hydration, and manage chronic disease—while keeping food enjoyable, flavorful, and accessible. Participants will learn how intentional culinary care can extend not just lifespan, but healthspan, empowering individuals to thrive at every stage of life.
What to Expect:
- Hands‑on culinary preparation in the Vetri Community Kitchen preparing meals that emphasize nutrient density, flavor, and approachable techniques that fit real life.
- Practical counseling strategies to help adapt recipes for evolving needs related to taste, energy, mobility, or time, without sacrificing enjoyment or cultural relevance.
- Evidence-informed approaches to integrating culinary medicine into clinical and community settings that support healthy aging, independence, and quality of life.
Why Attend?
Earn CPEs (dietitians)
Hands‑On Cooking at the VCP Teaching Kitchen: Gain confidence preparing health‑supportive recipes you can teach to patients and clients; build practical culinary teaching skills you can use immediately in patient care.
Evidence‑Based Application: See how culinary strategies can reinforce therapeutic nutrition across multiple conditions.
Patient‑Centered Counseling: Learn how to inspire behavior change through simple, practical, and culturally adaptable food‑based strategies.
Professional Growth: Earn CPEU credits and expand the reach of your nutrition expertise. Walk away with recipes, resources, and actionable tools to enhance your practice.
Community Impact: Learn the same principles VCP brings to communities through hands‑on, empowering culinary education.
Who Should Attend?
All healthcare professionals are encouraged to register and attend.
CPEs will be awarded to Dietitians who attend and complete the session(s).
Questions?
Contact us at mcner@villanova.edu
