FIU Hospitality hosts Common Threads

Florida International University's (FIU) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is now one of the four national sites hosting Common Threads, an organization that teaches low-income children how to cook wholesome and affordable meals.

During the 2009-2010 school year, 32 students from North Miami's William Jennings Bryan Elementary School and North Miami Elementary School are participating in the program "Cooking Skills and World Cuisine," taught by restaurant owner/chef Michelle Bernstein and FIU chef-instructor Mimi Chacin. The hands-on cooking classes emphasize learning about new fruits and vegetables and the techniques to cook fresh, quality ingredients. Each lesson focuses on a different culture, and each class is designed to gradually build upon the student's skills. By the end of the 12-week session, the students will have learned how to prepare complete, healthy meals.

Children cook, eat and learn in the FIU kitchen

"We are so proud to host Common Threads at FIU School of Hospitality, said Dr. Diann Newman, who brought Common Threads to FIU. "As a university, we are dedicated to our mission of investing in our community. Change comes with vision, time, courage, experience and tenacity. We are gratified to work with chef Michelle Bernstein, students and administrators of William Jennings Bryan Elementary School and North Miami Elementary School and our School of Hospitality students to be part of the solution."

Common Threads was founded by chef, author and television personality Art Smith. For more information, visit www.commonthreads.org.