ONLINE COOKING CLASSES
Blue Zones:
Sardinia & Beyond
After our Ikaria series, we will spend 2025 exploring the remaining Blue Zones, beginning with Sardinia, Italy, from January to March.
ABOUT SARDINIA
Sardinians follow a diet rich in plant-based foods, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats like olive oil.
Pecorino cheese, made from grass-fed sheep’s milk, and antioxidant-rich red wine are also part of their meals, though consumed sparingly.
Sardinia is famous for its fiber-rich beans, seasonal vegetables, and traditional breads like flatbreads and gnocchi, all contributing to their long, healthy lives.
What We’re Cooking in
This 6-Class Series
All classes are taught live by Chef Jeremy on Zoom. Replays are always provided afterward in case you can’t attend live.
Ladeddos (Sardinian Gnocchi)
with Chunky Tomato Sauce & Braised Greens
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
7-8:30pm ET
We’ll kick off the Sardinian series with Ladeddos, traditional Sardinian gnocchi that are both comforting, hearty and filling. The chunky tomato sauce is packed with antioxidants, while quick-braised greens offer a nutritious complement, rich in fiber and essential minerals.
Sardinian Flatbread &
Herbed Lentil Minestrone
Sunday, January 19, 2025
4-5:30pm ET
Lentils are a vital part of the Sardinian diet, known for their high protein and fiber content. In this class, we’ll prepare an herbed lentil minestrone paired with Sardinian flatbread—a core element in the Sardinian diet.
Sardinian Style Lasagna
with Shaved Cabbage, Sun-dried Tomatoes, & XVOO
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
7-8:30pm ET
This plant-forward lasagna layers whole grains and vegetables, featuring sun-dried tomatoes and a drizzle of Sardinia’s famous extra virgin olive oil (XVOO), promoting both heart health and vibrant flavors.
Sardinian Style Pizza
& Sweet Squash Fritters
Sunday, February 23, 2025
4-5:30pm ET
Sardinian pizza offers a crisp, lighter version of the classic, topped with fresh, seasonal produce. Paired with sweet pumpkin or squash fritters, these dishes show how Sardinians take simple ingredients and turn them into both flavorful and nourishing meals.
Porcini Mushroom Risotto & Almond Cookies
Tuesday, March 10, 2025
7-8:30pm ET
Porcini mushrooms are a treasured Sardinian ingredient, bringing depth and umami to a creamy risotto. Almond cookies provide a sweet yet nutritious finish to the meal, highlighting plant-based protein and healthy fats.
Linguini with Walnut Parsley Pesto & Sweet Potato Pecan Tarts
Sunday, March 23, 2025
4-5:30pm ET
Herbs and nuts are abundant in Sardinia, and this walnut parsley pesto brings those flavors to the forefront. The pesto is rich in omega-3s, and paired with sweet potato pecan tarts, it showcases how simple, nutrient-dense dishes can be both satisfying and aligned with a long, healthy life.
Join me for this immersive journey into the heart of Sardinian cuisine!
By participating in these classes, you're not just learning recipes—you're embracing a way of life that cherishes health, community, and the joy of good food.
Each dish is a step towards understanding how the Sardinians live long, vibrant lives filled with vitality and happiness. This is your opportunity to connect with a culture in your home that values simplicity, flavor, and wellness, and to make these values a part of your own life and kitchen.
Join this One-of-a-Kind
6-Class Series for Just $159!
That’s less than $27 per class and you won’t find anything else like it.
Save your spot now!
Beyond Sardinia:
Exploring More Blue Zones
After our exploration of Sardinia, we'll continue into 2025 uncovering the secrets of longevity in the remaining Blue Zones:
April - June 2025
Okinawa, Japan
We will delve into the plant-based staples of Okinawan cuisine, preparing dishes like Kombu Dashi, Sweet Potato Carrot Hash, Seared Tofu Steak, and Miso Soup. Okinawan cooking emphasizes nutrient-rich foods like sea vegetables, tofu, and sweet potatoes, which are central to their health and remarkable longevity.
July - September 2025
NICOYA, COSTA RICA
Experience the vibrant flavors of Nicoya with dishes like Nicoya Veggie Stew, Gallo Pinto, and Yuca Cakes with Avocado. Nicoyans focus on beans, corn, and tropical fruits, with meals rich in fiber, plant-based proteins, and antioxidants. We'll explore how their simple, wholesome diet contributes to exceptional longevity and vitality.
October - December 2025
Loma linda, california
Our journey concludes in Loma Linda, home to a community that follows a plant-based diet rooted in the Adventist tradition. We'll prepare wholesome meals like Black Eye Pea Gumbo, Black Bean Sweet Potato Burgers, Avocado, Pickled Red Onions, Pepita Sauce, and Walnut Veggie Loaf, Pomegranate Ketchup. These nutrient-dense dishes highlight the importance of legumes, whole grains, and fresh produce in sustaining long-term health and wellness.
Why You Should Join…
These series are more than cooking classes…
They are a transformative experience that empowers you to take charge of your health and well-being while having fun with like-minded folks.
By immersing yourself in the culinary traditions of the world's healthiest populations, you'll gain invaluable insights into how simple, delicious foods can enhance your life and ultimately your health and longevity.
Embrace the Opportunity to:
Discover New Flavors: Expand your palate with authentic recipes that are as delightful as they are nourishing.
Enhance Your Well-being: Learn how to prepare meals that promote longevity, vitality, and overall wellness.
Connect with Cultures: Experience the rich traditions and philosophies that underpin the diets of long-lived communities.
Build Community: Join a like-minded group of individuals passionate about health, cooking, and cultural exploration.
Whether you're an experienced cook or just starting out, these classes offer something for everyone.
You'll walk away with practical skills, inspiring recipes, and a renewed appreciation for the power of food to heal and sustain us.
By joining an individual series or becoming a member and partaking in all of the series , you're investing in your health and embracing a lifestyle that could add years to your life—and life to your years.
Reserve your spot today and embark on this exciting adventure into the world's Blue Zones. Your path to vitality and longevity starts here!
MEET YOUR GUIDE
I’m Chef Jeremy Rock Smith
Mix a dash of Julia, a pinch of Bourdain and a drop of Deepak—and you’ve got the perfect recipe for Chef Jeremy Rock Smith.
After spending the first 16 years of my culinary career, immersed in the fast-paced, high-energy world of traditional cooking, I eventually found myself drawn to a different path. The restaurant lifestyle—late nights, endless hustle—began to take its toll, leading me to seek a new approach.
In the early 2000s, I experienced what I like to call a "midlife cooking crisis." I actually stepped away from the kitchen for a few years and worked on building a house with my father (I come from generations of carpenters). This was when I began a journey toward health, focusing on food through the lens of nutrition and wellness.
It was during this time that I truly started to bring my commercial cooking skills home and applying them consistently. Before that, I didn't do much cooking outside of the professional kitchen because I was burnt out after having cooked all week, but as I embraced a healthier lifestyle, I found myself reconnecting with food in a more personal and meaningful way. This transition set the stage for the next twenty years of my life.
Chef Jeremy leading a culinary trip to Poros, Greece
I spent those years first at Canyon Ranch, then Kripalu Yoga Center for 12 years as Executive Chef and Teacher, and now Miraval Resort, where I gathered a wealth of knowledge from eastern based Ayurveda to traditional western nutrition. These experiences have built a foundation that I'm now ready to share with others.
As I entered my early 50s and witness my parents' transition into retirement, I've felt a shift in my mission. Last year, I was invited by a dear friend to host a culinary sailing trip in Greece for a week. During that time, I had the privilege to witness the effects of a food-based culture, where food is the center of enjoyment, pleasure, and nourishment. I saw firsthand how this approach to eating and living ultimately leads to a happier, more fulfilled lifestyle.
This experience has sparked a new passion within me: to bring the principles of longevity back home and share them with as many people as possible. My goal is to guide others in discovering how they can live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives through food, community, and lifestyle.
I’m the author of best-selling cookbook, The Kripalu Kitchen: Nourishing Food for Body and Soul (2019). My humorous approach to nutritious & holistic living has earned me accolades in a range of publications including the Food Network Blog, HEALTH, Prevention, Yoga Journal and more. I’m also known for my fan-favorite appearance on Food Network’s Chopped in 2019.
My new passion is Blue Zone living and I am now hosting annual trips to Greece to explore this lifestyle.