Opened in March 2020, the Emeril Lagasse Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen at Cunningham Elementary provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore where food comes from, how it nourishes our bodies, and how to prepare healthy meals. Made possible through a generous grant from the Emeril Lagasse Foundation and a close partnership with PEAS, this unique facility is one of only a few school-based culinary garden and teaching kitchen programs in the nation.
This signature program integrates gardening and culinary education directly into the school curriculum, connecting students to the world of food while fostering essential life skills. Through hands-on experiences in the garden and teaching kitchen, students explore the art, science, and culture of food while developing an appreciation for healthy eating, sustainability, and community. By bringing the farm-to-table experience to life, we broaden students' horizons and empower them to become confident learners, healthy decision-makers, and thoughtful stewards of their world.
Cunningham Elementary is proud to be part of a growing national movement of schools that inspire, mentor, and empower young people through the transformative power of culinary arts and hands-on agriculture.