Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) recently announced its acceptance into the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative (TKC), an international network of more than 70 educational, healthcare, corporate, and community organizations committed to transforming health through culinary and lifestyle education. As of July 1, 2025, PVCC joined the ranks of leading institutions such as Google, Compass Group, and Cleveland Clinic in advancing this groundbreaking movement.
“Joining the TKC allows PVCC to expand our impact beyond the classroom, empowering our students and community with the skills and confidence to make informed, healthy food choices,” said Angela Jordan, director of Nutrition and Dietetics, PVCC. “This collaboration aligns with PVCC’s mission to foster academic excellence, community engagement, and lifelong wellness.”
PVCC’s membership in the TKC coincides with the launch of its Teaching Kitchen Program, part of the college’s accredited Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum. Beginning this fall, PVCC will offer classes designed to empower students and the community with the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to make lasting changes in personal and public health.
The new program will integrate culinary education, nutrition science, and behavior change strategies into a dynamic, hands-on learning environment. With a focus on addressing critical health disparities, PVCC’s Teaching Kitchen will support chronic disease prevention, older adult wellness, diabetes management, and culturally inclusive cooking.
As a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, the teaching kitchen will bring together culinary professionals, health educators, and community partners to advance health equity and sustainability throughout the Phoenix region and beyond.
"We are thrilled to welcome PVCC into the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative," said Katie Welch, executive director, TKC. "Their innovative integration of culinary education, nutrition science, and community engagement is exactly the kind of leadership our movement needs to advance health equity, prevent chronic disease, and inspire lasting behavior change, both locally in Arizona and across our growing global network."
PVCC’s inclusion in the July 1, 2025, New Member Cohort expands the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative’s geographic reach and diversity of programming. Other new members include Purdue University, 4Roots, American Cancer Society, Duke Health, Blue Cross NC, and Lee Health, alongside the return of R&DE Stanford University.
With its new Teaching Kitchen Program, PVCC is poised to become a leader in transformative culinary and lifestyle education, helping to build a healthier, more resilient community for years to come. For more information about PVCC, visit our website.