Because we can connect with ourselves, memories and experiences through cooking together!
Cooknnecting (Cook: Cooking|nnecting: Connecting= Connecting through cooking). Founded on 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. Spending more time at home led Yeira to pause, learn and reconnect with herself and others in body, mind, soul and spirit, with the kitchen being one of the main settings.
Cooknnecting started as an adventurous hobby to inspire food-loving visitors in the island to learn about Puerto Rican culture through creation of recipes; but after noticing visitors reviews she confirmed that cooking it's much more than a recipe. Therefore, Dr. Valdez-Pimentel, found a way to add value to peoples lives through the kitchen.
Today, Cooknnecting has the intention to inspire couples and families around the world to raise awareness about the importance of wellness with a focus on prevention through unique and interactive culinary experiences. The philosophy is based on the value of learning to be connected to ourselves and enhancing the value and appreciation of human interactions. We cannot offer the best of ourselves if we can't take care of our mind, body, soul and spirit. We are a whole and like a vehicle, we need to have all four wheels working to savor life.
Cooknnecting not only believes and affirms the phrase "Food brings people together," also adds "it is the dynamics that occur around those experiences that connect us to others."
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Centro Para Emprendedores Team cooknnecting through the sense of smell.
Benefits of Cooknnecting
Cooking brings benefits that positively influence the care of our mind, emotions, physical and spiritual. The well-being can be reflected in areas such as:
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Love
Fun
Family
Altruism
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Gratitude
Creativity
Teamwork
Communication
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Self-esteem & confidence
Sense of achievement
Interpersonal relationships
Living in the present moment
Dr. Yeira M. Valdez-Pimentel, born in Puerto Rico, shares Dominican roots through both parents and is the oldest of three siblings. When it comes to food, she is not picky at all! She loves gastronomy, educating, serving, traveling and experiences that lead her to connect with people from different cultures through cooking. Through cultural immersion experiences she has had the opportunity to appreciate the diversity and delight her palate around local cuisines.
Yeira received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Carlos Albizu University in 2018 and completed her B.A. in Education from University of Puerto Rico in 2012. In 2017, while she was working with her doctoral thesis, she felt motivated and enrolled in the "International Cooking Seminar" at the Escuela Hotelera de San Juan. During this experience, Yeira not only had fun and relaxed, but reaffirmed that wellness is fundamental and that the culinary arts offer an excellent outlet to learn how to integrate it into daily life.
Acknowledgements:
-Foodpreneur III (King bird Innovation Center) UAGM (2022).
-Nuestro Barrio Accelerator Program at Sagrado Corazón University (2022).
-Utmost Distinction, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology at Carlos Albizu University, San Juan Campus
APA Accredited Doctoral Program (2018).
-Public Service Aftermath Hurricane María at Department of Veterans Affairs (2018).
-Outstanding Graduate Student Award-conferred by the Puerto Rican Association of Psychology (2016).
-Scholarship for Complutense Summer School in Madrid, Spain (2016).