Jan. 31 is National Hot Chocolate day in the United States. Hot chocolate is a warm beverage often enjoyed during the winter season, a drink that many Americans associate with the holidays, snowy weather and a sense of comfort during colder months. For college students, especially those navigating busy schedules and winter stress, small seasonal traditions like this can offer a brief but meaningful break.
Each year, Elizabethtown College’s Demo Kitchen hosts events for students centered around food, nutrition and community. National Hot Chocolate Day served as one of this year’s winter-themed events, drawing students into the Bowers Center for an afternoon of warm drinks.
The event was held Friday, Jan. 31 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Despite cold temperatures outside, many students stopped by the Demo Kitchen to grab a free cup of hot cocoa whether they were passing through the building, needed a study break or meeting friends.
“I’m impressed with the turnout, especially because it’s so cold outside. I wasn’t sure people were going to leave their warm rooms to come for hot chocolate, but I’ve been pleased with the turnout so far today,” Assistant Director of Health Promotion Joni Eisenhauer said.
Students were able to personalize their beverage with a wide variety of toppings including marshmallows, caramel syrup, whipped cream and several flavored sugar toppings. The ability to customize drinks allowed students to make their hot cocoa their own while also encouraging them to linger and interact with other students in attendance.
“It’s a fun excuse to leave the dorm … They don’t always make the same food. It’s always something different here. There’s always like, different people coming in and out,” first-year digital media production major Erica Gobin said.
The Demo Kitchen is a part of RecWell’s broader efforts to promote student wellness on campus. Through hands-on food demonstrations and seasonal events, RecWell hopes to give students greater knowledge about food and nutrition while providing a fun and welcoming environment where students can gather and connect.
“I think the demo kitchen offers a little bit of something for everybody. Everybody has a different viewpoint or perspective and background of food,” Eisenhauer said. “So hopefully, when you come into the demo kitchen, maybe you’re learning something new, meeting someone new. So it’s just also not only to gain some nutritional food information, but hopefully build a little bit of community,”
Students often use these events as an opportunity to recharge between classes, assignments and extracurricular commitments.
“It’s a good way to step away from work and school and just like, get food,” Gobin said.
In addition to National Hot Chocolate Day, the Demo Kitchen hosts a variety of food and nutrition based events throughout the semester. Some events are casual walk-in activities, while others involve more traditional demonstrations that reach students hot to prepare different foods.
“There’s a little bit of everything all throughout the semester, some are walk-in events, and then some are more like traditional demos,” Eisenhauer said.
The staff coordinates Demo Kitchen events around seasons, holidays and student needs, aiming to keep programming relevant and engaging. These events are designed to be accessible to students of all backgrounds and levels.
Looking ahead, the Demo Kitchen has several upcoming events planned, including a winter blues themed event focused on wellness during the colder months and a Mardi Gras celebration later in the semester. RecWell encourages students to attend future Demo Kitchen programs as a way to learn more about nutrition, connect with others and take care of their overall well-being.
For students in attendance, the hot chocolate event served as a reminder that sometimes a warm drink and a shared space can make a cold winter day feel a little brighter.
