Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of cooking classes in alternative schools on students' emotional well-being, interest in cooking, and dietary attitudes to assess their contribution to students' overall educational experience and lifestyle improvements. In addition, this study aimed to provide foundational data for the effective design and improvement of cooking classes in alternative schools. Methods: This study was conducted on 367 students from alternative schools. The difference between gender and educational background in the results was analyzed by the t-test, and the influence relationship between variables was analyzed using Process Macro. Results: The study showed that female students had more positive perceptions and attitudes regarding the emotional effects of cooking classes, interest in cooking, and dietary attitude changes than male students. In contrast, high school students exhibited more favorable perceptions and changes than middle school students. Furthermore, the emotional effects of cooking classes positively influenced the students' cooking interest (B=0.442, p<0.001) and dietary attitudes (B=0.384, p<0.001). The cooking interest had a direct positive effect on dietary attitudes (B=0.229, p<0.001) that mediated the relationship between the emotional effects and dietary attitudes (B=0.132, BootLLCI=0.073-BootULCI=0.197). Conclusion: Cooking classes are a vital educational tool for fostering emotional well-being, enhancing interest in cooking skills, and promoting healthy dietary attitudes among students in alternative schools.