Understanding Our World Through Food - Summer 2026

Course Dates

Section I:
August 1, 2026
August 2, 2026
August 8, 2026
August 9, 2026

Section II:
August 4 & 6, 2026

Who Can Register?

Adult learners (aged 18+) of all backgrounds and experience levels

Certificate

All students will receive a Certificate of Completion from NYU Shanghai after the conclusion of the course [Course Number: 20260204]

Instructor

Fabio Parasecoli, Professor of Nutrition and Food Studies, NYU Steinhardt

Language of Instruction

Primarily English, some guests may speak in Chinese (AI translation support for both languages will be provided throughout)

NYU Shanghai is delighted to offer a lifelong learning course open to the general public in Summer 2026 taught in-person by Professor of Food Studies Fabio Parasecoli, from the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Professor Parasecoli's research explores the cultural politics of food, particularly in media, design, heritage, and international affairs. He is the author of numerous acclaimed books including Al Dente: A History of Food in Italy, Food, Gastronativism: Food, Identity, Politics, and Global Brooklyn: Designing Food Experiences in World Cities, and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, and The Guardian.

Watch the video below for a welcome message from the Professor Fabio Parasecoli.

This course — Understanding Our World Through Food — will feature two sections and is a comprehensive, engaging, and fun course for anyone who wants to explore how food shapes our identities, cultures, communities, and the world around us. Through a mix of lectures, case studies, activities, and media analysis, participants will think critically about how cultural dynamics, social structures, and economic mechanisms determine where the products we eat come from, how they get to us, and why we have access to those and not others. No specialized background is required. Additional guest faculty will include:

• Deng Jie, Senior Documentary Director and Producer; core creator of the A Bite of China and Once Upon a Bite series.
• Christiaan Stoop, Executive Chef of 3-Star Michelin Restaurant, Taian Table Shanghai; 2025 Best Chef Award recipient.
• Rachel Gouk, Founder of Nomfluence, a Shanghai-based food and drink guide, and Shanghai Burger Month.
• Diao Wei, Founder of OHA Family; Founder and Lead Designer of OHA Design.
• Han Zhuotong, Co-Founder of Common Ground Food Design 共食设计工作室 (Shenzhen).

Course Structure

This course is offered in two sections. Students may choose to register for Section I only, or Section I + Section II.

Section I — Food Fundamentals

24 hours of instruction in a large-class environment, open to all backgrounds and experience levels.

• August 1, Saturday at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• August 2, Sunday at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• August 8, Saturday at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• August 9, Sunday at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Section II — Advanced Seminar

6 hours of instruction building upon Section I in a small-class environment. Designed for deeper study with more faculty interaction, enhanced activities and discussions. Students will also participate in an immersive food design and innovation workshop led by guest faculty Han Zhuotong and engage in a conversation about food globalization with guest faculty Deng Jie.

• August 4, Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• August 6, Thursday at 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Course Description About the Professor About Guest Faculty

Course Fees and Registration Deadlines

Section I — Food Fundamentals

• Early bird: 5,000 CNY. Register and pay by July 6 following the process below.
• Current student of any university: 5,000 CNY. Register and pay by July 27 following the process below.
• NYU alumni (including NYU Shanghai Non-Degree Programs alumni): 5,000 CNY. Register and pay by July 27 following the process below.
• Groups of 3 or more: 5,000 CNY. Register and pay by July 27 following the process below.
• Regular: 6,000 CNY. Register and pay by July 27 following the process below.

Section I + Section II — Advanced Seminar

• Early bird: 7,500 CNY. Register and pay by July 6 following the process below.
• Current student of any university: 7,500 CNY. Register and pay by July 27 following the process below.
• NYU alumni (including NYU Shanghai Non-Degree Programs alumni): 7,500 CNY. Register and pay by July 27 following the process below.
• Groups of 3 or more: 7,500 CNY. Register and pay by July 27 following the process below.
• Regular: 9,000 CNY. Register and pay by July 27 following the process below.