Bearkats in the Kitchen: Cooking Up Conversation and Campus Flavor

Bearkats in the Kitchen: Cooking Up Conversation and Campus Flavor 

A new kind of campus collaboration is serving up fresh ideas and delicious results. Bearkats in the Kitchen, a cooking show created by SHSU Online and the College of Health Sciences, brings together graduate students from the Dietetic Internship program, the SHSU Online Media Innovation team and the SHSU Food Pantry to share nutritious, affordable recipes and practical cooking tips. 

Each 30-minute episode features two tasty recipes inspired by the upcoming SHSU Cookbook, developed in partnership with the American Heart Association, and a “Culinary Corner” segment that dishes out bite-sized lessons on nutrition and food science. The show focuses on healthy eating with limited resources, encouraging students to make the most of what’s available in their kitchens. 

Many students face barriers like limited time, tools or cooking experience according to Tabbetha Lopez, director of the Dietetic Internship program. 

"We created Bearkats in the Kitchen to empower students with the skills and confidence to prepare healthy meals, no fancy kitchen required,” Lopez said. “This project brings nutrition education to life in a relatable, hands-on way. It's more than just a cooking show, it’s a resource for our community that promotes wellness, independence and heart health from the dorm room to the dining table." 

The show also connects closely with the SHSU Food Pantry, which supports students experiencing food insecurity and fosters education and volunteerism around the issue. Under the direction of Kathleen Gilbert, the Food Pantry is operated by work-study students, dietetic interns and members of the Food Pantry student organization.  

“We were thrilled to help stock the ingredients that make this show possible. Food brings people together, and it’s great to see our campus community connect and share through cooking,” said Gilbert. “The pantry mission—to provide resources, education and a sense of community—aligns perfectly with Bearkats in the Kitchen.” 

“The partnership between the Food Pantry, the Dietetic Internship Program, and SHSU Online truly showcases what can happen when Bearkats work together to serve the community,” said Dane Classen, associate director for Online Multimedia Services. “This project empowers students to make an impact while gaining professional experience in health education and media production.” 

Funded by a generous Brookshire’s grant, the series also promotes food access and wellness through its connection with the SHSU Food Pantry. The first episode recently premiered on KSHU Channel 7 and is available for streaming on ch7.shsu.edu/bearkats-kitchen, with new episodes airing every two weeks throughout the semester. 

As the show continues, Bearkats in the Kitchen aims to inspire students, staff and the community to discover how cooking can be both budget-friendly and heart-healthy—one recipe at a time.