Cooking and confidence are intertwined for Malina Schweinert. As a family and consumer science teacher at Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, she’s seen how basic kitchen skills can help kids blossom.
It’s what helped her find her own path, too. She grew up in the kitchen, learning from her grandmother. When she dropped out of high school, she found jobs in the food industry. Eventually, that led her to Milwaukee Area Technical College and a degree in culinary management. Now she’s putting those lessons to work as a personal chef, catering and teaching. Schweinert is offering online cooking classes teaching some of her favorite recipes and skills. Currently free, classes are held at 5 p.m. Saturdays live on Facebook.