All right, peppers and onions are in.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: An organization that became known for its commitment to fine-dining events is running a program meant to teach at-home chefs healthier options with high-end flair.

The Underground kitchen started by throwing fancy dinner parties to highlight Richmond's culinary talent.

But when the pandemic hit, the organization changed its mission to making food and nutrition education more accessible to the community.

Smart Soul Food is part of UGKs community-first programming.

It's offered weekly to city residents and led by Richmond celebrity chef Steve Glenn.

STEVE GLENN: I just think it's important to open people's eyes to versatility.

You can use different things, you know, seven different ways, and they all taste completely different.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: The focus, reimagining soul food with healthier, intentional ingredients.

UGK founder Micheal Sparks says, MICHEAL SPARKS: Nutrition insecurity can fall in any income.

It's having— even making enough money to buy food.

But are you buying the right foods and the right foods to address all these clinical diseases, right?

High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart conditions and cancer.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: The students in today's class are an eager group from Richmond's Peter Paul Development Center.

At 83-years-old, Barbara Brown, who helped coordinate the visit, says it's never too late to learn.

BARBARA BROWN: I believe that there's always something that we can learn that will help us have a better life as we live longer.

You know, and knowing how to prepare our food and becoming more accustomed to eating foods that we've never had before, I think all of that's very important.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: Every participant heads home with their own fresh ingredient bag to recreate the dish in their own kitchens.

Keyris Manzanares, VPM News.