Cooking Confidence on a Budget: WUSA Hosts Student Food Workshops

A pot of colorful food with a wooden spoon, text reads "The Student Food Workshop" by WUSA—boost your cooking confidence and learn budget cooking skills!.

On April 1st, WUSA Advocacy brought students together for a hands-on learning experience with Student Food Workshop: Cooking on a Budget. Hosted in the Black and Gold Room, the event ran across two sessions (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM), welcoming a total of 53 students for an engaging and practical approach to food literacy. 

Designed as part of WUSA’s broader food security initiatives, the workshops aimed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate rising food costs while maintaining healthy, affordable eating habits. 

Both sessions featured a live cooking demonstration of a simple, budget-friendly dish: Coca-Cola Chicken. Students not only watched the meal come together step-by-step but also had the opportunity to sample the finished dish, bringing the learning experience full circle from preparation to plate. 

To support students beyond the workshop, each attendee received a veggie-focused ingredient goodie bag, making it easy to recreate the recipe at home. Participants were also entered into a raffle for a cooking gift basket, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day. 

More than just a cooking class, the workshops addressed a growing concern among students: the financial pressure of rising food costs. By focusing on food literacy, covering budgeting, cooking basics, and food safety, WUSA is helping students build practical, everyday skills that can make a real difference. 

These workshops are one part of a larger, interconnected system of support. Initiatives like the Student Food Guide, Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) program, and the Food Support Service (FSS) are all designed to make food more accessible while reducing stigma around seeking support. Together, they reflect WUSA’s commitment to student wellbeing through both immediate resources and long-term empowerment. 

The impact of the sessions was clear: students left with new skills, increased awareness of available support, and a sense of confidence in managing their food choices on a budget. 

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Maliha Karim 

Communications Assistant 

Published: Tuesday, April 21, 2026