By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Learn how healthy cooking can be fun and delicious with St. Vincent’s One Nineteen’s Cuisine at One Nineteen program on May 21.

Award-winning chef Chris Vizzina will lead a hands-on course, taking participants through recipes to craft a tasty and nutritious three-course meal.

Currently the corporate executive chef at Red Diamond, Vizzina has also served as the chef de cuisine at Highlands Bar and Grill in downtown Birmingham.

This month’s theme for Cuisine at One Nineteen is “cooking with tea and coffee.” Each of Vizzina’s dishes will incorporate those ingredients, starting with a sun dried tomato, romaine and kale Caesar salad topped with focaccia croutons and sweet tea brined grilled chicken strips as an appetizer, a main entree of espresso rubbed pork loin with cauliflower puree and grilled summer vegetables and closing with tiramisu with coffee dipped lady fingers and cappuccino dusted whipped cream.

As the dishes are prepared, participants will get the opportunity to sample each one.

“The chef generally brings enough food that people make a meal of it,” said Donna Sibley, a registered dietician at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.

Cuisine at One Nineteen isn’t just a fun night out, it is also an educational evening. Participants will learn nutritional benefits and where to fine each ingredient, tips and tricks for healthy cooking and receive recipes to recreate the meal in their own kitchens.

“(Cuisine at One Nineteen) is an entertaining evening that also gives (participants) access to foods they never though about putting together,” Sibley said. “I hope they walk away with recipes they can prepare at home, and for some patrons, it’s just a fun night out.”

The program is on May 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and costs $25 per person.

The monthly Cuisine at One Nineteen program is just one of many interactive cooking classes offered at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.

“We offer a variety of cooking classes in our teaching kitchen led by registered dieticians,” Sibley said. “We are always trying to educate in a way that is more hands-on.”

More information about Cuisine at One Nineteen, cooking classes or other programs at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen can be found at Onenineteen.com.