Recognizing the need to bring together early advocates for teaching kitchens as a public health intervention, leaders at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Culinary Institute of America formed the TKC in 2016. 

In 2020, the TKC became an independent 501c3 and today, it is a robust and growing network of Organization and Professional Members committed to sharing best practices and to generating and disseminating the evidence base and associated tools needed to fuel the growth of teaching kitchens in the US and around the world.

Chronic diseases related to diet and lifestyle are on the rise, putting pressure on our health, healthcare system, economy, and the planet. Food insecurity and a lack of home cooking are significant contributors to these health challenges. This is where teaching kitchens come in: they offer a space for people to learn how to eat, cook, move, and think more healthfully—fostering lifelong well-being.

65 Organization Members around the world — hospitals, healthcare systems, universities, corporations, libraries, and community organizations — and growing!

200+ Professional Members who are interested in teaching kitchen programs, culinary medicine, the food is medicine movement, and improving human and planetary health.

A powerful, engaged, and trusted network of individuals sharing their coveted resources, wins, and lessons learned in all aspects of teaching kitchens.

Foster a forum for networking, collaboration, and inspiration among culinary medicine professionals (and aspiring culinary medicine professionals!) to exchange best practices and fuel the growth of teaching kitchens in the United States and around the world.

Support and help disseminate teaching kitchen research, and coordinate evidence-driven action across public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Lead expansion of teaching kitchen-related programming globally through member-driven webinars, co-created best practices and other original tools and content.

Provide a unified platform for advocacy and drive policies that support teaching kitchen programs and initiatives.