Lakeland Regional Health Opens New Teaching Kitchen at YMCA, Bringing Hands-On Cooking Classes to Community

New community cooking experiences at the YMCA bring people together to learn practical kitchen skills and explore healthier meals

November 6, 2026

LAKELAND, Fla. – Something exciting is cooking in Lakeland!  Lakeland Regional Health celebrated the launch of its Nourish Teaching Kitchen on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at the Bob Adams Family Community YMCA, introducing a series of hands-on culinary experiences designed to inspire healthier, more confident cooking.

During the celebration, community members explored the new kitchen, created their own spice blends, sampled food and learned about upcoming classes. The evening offered a taste of what’s ahead, with experiences ranging from creative ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers to holiday activities for families.

An initiative of Lakeland Regional Health’s Office of Community Health, the Nourish Teaching Kitchen provides a welcoming space where individuals and families can build practical cooking skills, discover new recipes and connect with others.

Upcoming Nourish Teaching Kitchen Experiences

  • November 17 | 6:30–8 p.m. – Gobble Up Your Turkey Bestovers: Join Terrie Lobb of TLC Catering to learn how to properly carve a Thanksgiving turkey and transform leftovers into a delicious turkey pot pie. This is a paid class, and registration is required.
  • December 12 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. – Nourish the Holidays: Gingerbread Houses with Santa: Families can enjoy gingerbread house decorating, a special visit with Santa and holiday fun. Two sessions will be offered. This is a paid experience.
  • January 12 | 6:30–8 p.m. – Smart Meal Prep: Discover practical meal-planning and preparation strategies to make nutritious, budget-friendly meals easier during busy weeks.
  • February 9 | 6:30–8 p.m. – Nourish Your Heart: Heart Healthy Meals: Explore flavorful recipes and simple cooking techniques that support heart health.

All experiences take place at the Bob Adams Family Community YMCA, 3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland.

Registration and fees vary by experience. For details and to register for the November 17 class, visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nourish-gobble-up-your-turkey-bestovers-tickets-2003073372378

About Lakeland Regional Health

Not-for-profit Lakeland Regional Health reaches beyond its hospital walls to promote wellness, education, and discovery in new places and new ways, providing a wide range of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services at its Medical Center, Tampa General Cancer Institute | Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center, and ambulatory care locations. Lakeland Regional Health earned Most Wired Advanced and Most Wired status 10 times since 2013 and has earned workplace awards from Forbes, Gallup, and Becker’s Hospital Review. Its 910-bed comprehensive tertiary referral hospital, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, operates the Jack and Tina Harrell Family Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine; a Level I Trauma Center; the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, which includes a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; the Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine; and the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness.

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