From My Kitchen to Your Table

A photo of a pie with the UB logo baked into the crust.

Work on an online cookbook to support Blue Table, UB's new food pantry for students. Build a sense of community, culture and support through celebrating food and cooking.

Project is Not Currently Available

This project has reached full capacity for the current term. Please check back next semester for updates.

Project description

Alex Otero loves people and food. Since joining the UB cleaning staff 13 years ago, Alex has connected with faculty, staff and students throughout the university, sharing his love for food and his unwavering spirit of positivity and gratitude.

Those who know Alex know that he worries about our students, especially those who lack access to food or the sense of joy and community that comes with sharing meals and cooking with friends and family.

When Alex learned about Blue Table—UB's new virtual food pantry for students, he was eager to offer his support. In discussions with Mara Huber (Associate Dean and Director of the ELN), he began to envision a project that would build a sense of community around cooking, eating, and engaging in the cultural and social aspects of food.

Through this new project, Alex invites students to work on an online cookbook that will feature members of the UB community, sharing their favorite recipes and stories. Students will lead all aspects of the project from collecting and testing recipes, managing videos and photo shoots, and assembling and marketing the cookbook. All proceeds will support Blue Table and other activities designed to support UB students.

Check out two of Alex's favorite, go-to recipes!

Project outcome

Students will lead all stages of cookbook development and sales including:

  • Project management 
  • Recipe cultivation 
  • Research and development 
  • Design and layout 
  • Copy writing and editing 
  • Digital media 
  • Marketing

Students will gain related experience and enjoy opportunities to engage with diverse UB offices and programs while building a sense of community around food and cooking.

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment About a semester (3-5 months)
Start time Spring (January/February)
In-person, remote, or hybrid?
Remote
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students)
Benefits Other
Who is eligible Anyone

Core partners

Project mentor

Christina Heath

Administrative Director

Experiential Learning Network

127 Capen Hall

Phone: (716) 645-8177

Email: clgiunta@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

Students will be asked to submit a video profile responding to the following questions/prompts: 

  1. Share a little about yourself and your background. 
  2. What does food mean to you? 
  3. What is your experience with cooking? 
  4. Why are you drawn to this project? 
  5. What would you like to get out of it? 
  6. What do you hope to contribute? 
  7. Anything else you'd like to share.