Sharing their passion for cooking, a group of eight students at Temple University created a cooking show called Feel Good Cooking where students can learn new recipes, techniques, and hear from chefs on and around campus.

Founded by producer, and now Temple Alumna Samantha Tedesco, Feel Good Cooking first aired in March 2021 on Temple University Television. This is the University’s public television channel that broadcasts to students, and those living in the surrounding Philadelphia area. 

Instant ramen and microwavable mac and cheese are essential to any college student’s diet, but after time this gets old. Cheap, simple, and quick meals are hard to find for many college students, especially those who are unfamiliar with cooking. The Feel Good Cooking student run team has grown to 13 students interested in earning the skills of television production. Multiple positions, ranging from camera operators, to the marketing and promotion of the show are offered.

“Cooking became a big part of my life in my freshman year of college, I got out of the military and moved away from home. I realized that cooking for me was just a better option because it was cheap. I realized I could make what I want, and know my portions, I could eat more for less,” Carney said.

The Feel Good Cooking pilot featured Samantha Tedesco sharing a pasta recipe that has been in her family for generations. Her vision for the show was to create a resource for students to learn about cooking, and to create a community where others can further their techniques and knowledge of food.

Since Samantha has graduated, the new host is Senior Seth Carney. He also works on Temple Update, the campus news program. His lifelong passion for food grew once he moved away from home and began his studies at Temple. 

An Instagram page complements the show. Students can follow recipe reels, be filled in on food events around campus, and receive updates regarding show releases. The social media team is overseen by Co-Producer Riley Flanigan, a Junior Advertising major. It is the only space where Temple students can share their interest in food on campus.

“On our social media we are not just making posts promoting the show, we’re promoting the food culture at Temple, we’re the go to spot for students looking for anything Temple food related,” Flanigan said.

Riley and Samantha met in a Freshman class. The two bonded over their love for food–despite not being excellent cooks. Their common goal was to create a space for students to branch out and try new, cheap, and easy dishes. 

“Honestly I really want this show to be a place for college students similar to me who come to college not knowing how to cook anything, and want to learn how to make something simple and easy, but make them feel like a cook,” Flanigan said.

“I try not to put any pressure on myself at all. I just try to cook things I like and follow recipes, because food to me is a very human thing, we’re the only species that puts spices on, and cooks our food, so in that regard I try to make it as low stress and more enjoyable,” Carney said. 

Feel Good Cooking: Ham & Cheese Omelet Episode

In a recent episode Carney makes a simple ham and cheese omelette. He also interviews Lynh Pham, Temple Alumna.  She is owner of Angie’s Vietnamese cuisine, a restaurant near Temple’s campus. The interview is filled with great advice for those new to cooking.  Pham describes her personal favorite cheap meal to cook, and talks about guilty pleasure snacks.

While serious at times, the show is a low stress program. The social media team tries a new food truck on campus every month. We showcase what each truck has to offer as a fun way to bond.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 made the beginning of the show extremely difficult.

With Covid spiking when Feel Good Cooking was first starting, the team wasn’t able to meet in person. Even filming had to be done remotely. The pilot episode was solely recorded by Tedesco at her home.  

“I would be on Facetime with Sam while she would do it, or just be texting her. She would ask, “do you want an overhead, or bird’s eye view shot?” So she would text me and ask for help to film it, but I physically couldn’t be there. So that made it really difficult, that first episode was all Sam, she really did a lot,” Flanigan said. 

Luckily things are looking up for the team. Episodes filmed during the spring semester allowed everyone to be together. These Feel Good Cooking episodes include Carney making simple curry, and an interview with the owner of the popular Crepe Truck.