DeKalb – Sycamore resident Bob Davis has attended 24 classes at the Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Leishman Center for Culinary Health, and he knows this because he keeps a journal of all the classes and topics that are covered. His wife was always his primary chef, but when she passed away, he started looking for a way to boost his kitchen abilities. Leishman Center classes fit the bill.
What keeps Davis coming back is the camaraderie — it’s the social connections that he appreciates most. He encourages other men to attend the classes as well.
“Men might think, ‘No, I don’t want to do a cooking class,’ but they really should consider it. It’s great,” said Davis.
Seniors looking to connect with other seniors can find a series of classes just for them: Seniors Connect and Cook. Classes are taught by Community Education Specialist Jo Cessna and Healthy Culinary Coordinator Rachel Koroscik. Diabetes Educator Peggy Marchini, RD, often participates with nutrition-specific offerings.
After his retirement from Northern Illinois University, Fred Menke from DeKalb started attending classes in the Leishman Center. Menke’s wife was still working, so he took over the cooking duties at home. Although he appreciates the healthy lifestyle he’s learning, Menke jokes that he continues to come to keep his friend, Davis, company.
Cessna’s key to teaching cooking is to swap out the word “recipe” for “blueprint,” letting the participant know it’s OK to not strictly adhere to a recipe.

“I feel that when people hear me use the word ‘blueprint’ instead of ‘recipe,’ it changes their thinking about cooking,” said Cessna. “It allows them to relax and enjoy the process more, knowing they can choose from a variety of options based on their food preferences.”
At a recent Seniors Connect and Cook class, Cessna offered blueprints for a three-course meal. She discussed using what’s available in the pantry instead of running to the store or scrapping an entire meal because of a missing ingredient. Cessna’s blueprints consist of three main components:
The main idea (fish, chicken or grains)
The support (liquid, healthy fat and seasoning)
Harmony to tie them together (something salty or something sweet)
Cessna says once her students understand this philosophy, they can swap ingredients in and out based on availability and personal taste.
After a short introduction, participants were invited into one of the four individual teaching kitchens to work on their blueprints. Cessna and Koroscik were available to guide participants on technique or to offer suggestions on ingredients. Once the cooking was done, participants joined together along the large kitchen island to share their creations. They dined together and talked about their experiences in the kitchen.  
Sycamore resident Joyce Schirmer has been attending classes three to four times per month for the past year. She says when she was working, she cooked simply to provide a meal. When she retired and had more time, she wanted to increase her cooking knowledge. Schirmer says she has learned a lot about food and cooking, but she also looks forward to seeing the new friends she has made in the classes.
The Leishman Center for Culinary Health team coordinates and teaches a variety of natural, whole foods cooking classes designed to help students and patients of all ages and skill levels make simple changes for a healthier lifestyle.
“Our program goal is to help the community manage and prevent chronic illness, disease and obesity through a healthy diet,” said Koroscik. “Leishman Center instructors provide guidance and education from garden to kitchen, and provide hands-on opportunities to taste new foods and to learn how to prepare delicious, all-natural dishes.”
Classes offered at the center include disease-specific courses such as Eat to Beat: Diabetes and Eat to Beat: Pain and Inflammation; skill-focused classes such as Basic Knife Skills and Understanding Flavor; and exploratory courses such as Seasonal Side Dishes and Spring Greens. The Kids Can Cook classes are popular options for children ages 9 through 12.
Registration is required for most classes, which fill up quickly. For a listing of classes, visit nm.org and click on “Patients and Visitors.”