Research shows that people who prepare and cook meals at home are more likely to eat the recommended fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains needed in a balanced diet. Building skills and cooking knowledge increases the likelihood that people choose to prepare home-cooked meals. To encourage more home-prepared meals, the Scott County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences and Agent Horticulture worked together to host the workshop Savor the Flavor: Cooking with Oils, Herbs, and Spices. 

The Horticulture agent focused on successfully growing your own herbs at home while the Family and Consumer Sciences agent focused on food preparation with oils, herb, and spices. 

The Savor the Flavor program focused on cooking oils, herbs, and spices. Extension developed this program as a way to teach people how to make home-prepared meals that are flavorful and exciting. These common pantry staples are versatile, yet people commonly say they are unsure of the appropriate uses and applications for these items. The goal of this program is to increase knowledge about various types of cooking oils, herbs, and spices and how to incorporate them into food preparation and cooking. 11 people participated in the workshop. 

Those who attended were provided samples of different oils, fresh herbs, dry herbs, and spices to taste. Each participant was also given the opportunity to plant their own herb seeds during the workshop, to grow and harvest their own dishes at home. 

At the end of the workshop each participant took a post-survey. Of those surveyed, 100% indicated they better understood different types of cooking oils, herbs, and spices, and 100% stated that they felt good to excellent stated they increased their level of understanding regarding ways to incorporate cooking oils, herbs, and spices into food preparation and cooking. Further, 100% expressed the intention to try a new type of cooking oils, herbs, and spices as a way to prepare or add flavor to foods, while 100% expressed the intention to incorporate more cooking oils and/or flavored vinegars into cooking to increase home-prepared meals. 81.81% felt good to excellent about understanding common pairings of herbs with various dishes.

When surveyed about the relevance of the program, 100% agreed or strongly agreed that the subject matter was timely. 100% agreed or strongly agreed that the information was practical (10 out of 11 strongly agreed). Additionally, 100% agreed or strongly agreed that the program was “very educational” (10 out of 11 strongly agreed).

When asked about the most significant part of the program participated said the following: 

• “Growing from seed is part of a new adventure with seasonal herbs.” 
• “I will make my own spice/herb blends.” 
• “Learning about different uses for herbs and how to use in different dishes.”  
• “Growing and using more herbs.”  
• “Learning about dry vs. fresh [herbs].” 
• “Growing and using my own herbs. I enjoy growing plants, but classes help a lot.”  
• “How to plant herbs. How to keep fresh herbs fresh.”