Culinary Arts

Chef Alba Johnson

Chef Johnson is a cooking instructor, a personal chef, cookbook author, recipe writer, editor and tester, and a food blogger with over 20 years of experience. Born in Naples, Italy and raised in Tunisia, North Africa, she gained practical knowledge of essential techniques and traditional dishes which she shares with her students and clients. 

Alba’s expertise is in Regional Italian, Spanish, Greek, Turkish, Moroccan, and other Mediterranean Cuisine. Alba is currently teaching virtual adult cooking classes for Mary’s Land Farm, Whole Foods Annapolis, Howard County Parks and Recreation, Howard Community College, privately, and other locations. 

Lastly, Alba has appeared on FOX DC, CBS DC, and PBS Virginia performing live demos. She also conducts culinary trips to Umbria/Tuscany in the Spring and Fall, and Giverny Normandy in the Spring. Alba is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, and IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals). These classes are included with GOLD subscriptions. Email info@myerberg.org or call 410-358-6856 to register.

Exceptional Sides for the Holidays – November 11, 2026

Summer Salads from Land & Sea – August 5, 2026

Bold Flavors & Elegant Brunch – July 22, 2026

Spring Brunch Ideas – March 4, 2026

Healthy Winter Recipes – February 18, 2026

Ilysa Cohen 

Ilysa Cohen began volunteering for NNC-Northwest Neighbors Connection back in 2015. She started by helping seniors with small tasks that would allow them to remain in their homes. With her passion for staying healthy and cooking, she began teaching exercise and healthy cooking classes to older adults. Ilysa always wanted to work with seniors around fitness and active aging. She fell in love with the possibility of making an impact changing lives through movement.

She now teaches at the Myerberg. In person, she teaches two classes – Cardio Drumming: a class that improves health, both physically, psychologically & socially, through a unique sensory motor drumming program. She also teaches Bands Together; a class that uses resistance bands combining strength exercises to help build muscles in the entire body. Ilysa loves having the opportunity to integrate movement, strength, cardio, and flexibility into my classes. Virtually, Ilysa has been teaching Senior Strong, a class to build strength and balance, as well as Get in the Groove which is more cardio based. Ilysa believes working out should be fun as well as healthful! Ilysa received her certifications from The American Sports and Fitness Association, including: Senior Fitness & Stretching Instruction, Group Fitness, Balance & Stability and Core Fitness Training. In her spare time, Ilysa loves to exercise, cook, read, and spend time with her family.

In addition, Ilysa has a husband Bill, two daughters named Amanda & Molly and a Beagle named Lucy. Ilysa’s motto is, “The strive and commitment you put towards self-improvement today, will allow the stability you must have to be accomplished tomorrow.” Ilysa’s classes are free to members and subscribers since they are sponsored by NNC. They occur the second Monday of each month from 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.

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