If you are heading to the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo this year, make sure to swing by the Ice Arena concourse for a taste of something healthy. The Monument Health Teaching Kitchen is back for its third year, and the team is ready to show you that “hospital food” and healthy eating can actually be delicious.
Meet the Team
The program is led by Alex Brown, a former teacher who now serves as the Director of Food and Nutrition at Sturgis Monument Health. She is joined by Head Chef Kelsey Koerner and Sous Chef Ty Hiatt. While the team is contracted through Compass One and Morrison Healthcare, they work closely with Monument Health to bring nutritional education to the community.
Ty Hiatt, a favorite at these events, brings a background in high end catering to the table. He is known for making complex cooking feel doable for everyone, whether he is teaching kids how to make healthy snacks or showing adults proper knife safety.
What is a Teaching Kitchen?
It is not just about watching someone cook. A teaching kitchen is a hands on way to build what the team calls culinary literacy. The goal is to make people feel more comfortable in their own kitchens so they can bring better food home to their families.
Kelsey Koerner says the best part is the interaction. Since it is hands on, there are no dumb questions. They have taught everyone from local volunteer firefighters to children, proving that anyone can learn to cook better meals.
The 2026 Menu and Schedule
The team is partnering with the non profit Beef Logic again this year to showcase high quality South Dakota beef. You can find them at their booth daily from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Ice Arena concourse.
- Friday, Jan. 30: Heart Healthy Chili
- Saturday, Jan. 31: Grilled Jalapeño Cheddar Meatballs
- Sunday, Feb. 1: Shredded Beef Breakfast Tacos
- Thursday, Feb. 5: Texas Hot Honey Steak Bites
- Friday, Feb. 6: Bourbon Glazed Steak Tips
- Saturday, Feb. 7: Beef Logic’s Tuscan Beef Pasta Skillet
Don’t Miss the Live Demo
If you want to see the pros in action, head to the Ice Arena stage on Wednesday, February 4 at 2:00 PM. Ty Hiatt and dietitian Julie Jensen will be demonstrating a Beef Taco Skillet. It is a simple, one pot meal that covers all the nutritional bases with protein and veggies. Samples will be available at the booth from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM that day.
As the team puts it, it is like a live cooking show but with a focus on helping you eat better and stay healthy.
