Thursday, September 24, 2015

Nourishing Minds and Bellies


by Hannah Williams, Camp Delicious! Teaching Assistant

           
Take a look at our 2015 Camp Delicious! Teens in action in a video created by Hannah Williams.

Chopping, mixing, stirring, picking, growing and tasting were all on the menu this summer as Camp Delicious! teens showcased their culinary talents with some of the best chefs in Pittsburgh. Through experiments in flavor, adventures in the garden, and a trip to the Art Institute’s professional kitchen, the learning opportunities were endless for participants and staff alike.

One of the best parts of Camp Delicious was seeing the progress of the campers throughout the week.  While there were a few bumps and bruises along the way, the week ended with 10 fingers on every participant. As the teen chefs worked on their knife skills, culinary lingo, and cooking techniques, their confidence also soared. It was great to see the difference between the campers timidly mixing unique smoothie combinations on day 1 to creating wild plates and amazing watermelon carvings by day 3. 

This confidence carried the campers through the week and made the lunch for family and friends a rousing success! The Mexican themed meal included grilled chicken tacos, authentic rice and beans, and all the salsa and guacamole imaginable! The meal ended with a sweet watermelon sorbet finished with a bit of chocolate balsamic and a sprig of mint!


Top 5 Reasons Cooking is an Important Skill for Teens and Kids:
  1. Develop hand-eye coordination
  2. Bring people/families together
  3. Build self-esteem and confidence
  4. Open up to new foods (tend to eat more fruits and vegetables)
  5. Explore the origins of food (learn about different cultures

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