Berkeley Middle Schoolers Cook With Passion In Iron Chef Contest

————

————

You’ve all watched the Food Network’s Iron Chef: two chefs have an hour to prepare five dishes based around a secret ingredient, and three judges award points based on flavor, originality and presentation. Last week I had the privilege of being a judge at an end-of–term Iron Chef contest at Berkeley’s Willard Middle School. Berkeley has the reputation of being a wacky place, but some great things happen in that singular East Bay City. I find it remarkable that, in a program funded mostly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Berkeley students learn healthy cooking and gardening beginning in kindergarten.  I’ve been an Iron Chef judge at Willard before, and I’m always impressed by how much effort and skill these kids bring to the contest.  They take it seriously. In addition to the criteria used on the TV show, Willard students are also judged on teamwork, recipe writing and clean-up. Of course, these are young people with still a lot to learn, but I have to say, the food was done on time, and looked and tasted good.  Among the dishes they made: muffins, stuffed potatoes, strawberry crepes, french fries, sugar cookies, fried veggies and fried rice, latkes, and fruit salad. I so appreciate everyone who contributes to this wonderful program.  We hear a lot about the problem of obesity and poor nutrition among our youth, but in Berkeley they are actually doing something about it, and the kids seem to love it. You’ll find lots more photos after the jump.

————

———–

Photos: Top, the winning table displays their dishes. Above, prepping the secret ingredient: peaches.

Cook With Confidence: Join the Macro Chef for a Lively Cooking Class

 

This jovial group joined me for a cooking class in Palo Alto several years ago. (photo by Gerard Lum)

 

WHAT DISHES DO YOU MOST WANT TO COOK FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

You probably don’t need a reminder that the holidays are looming just ahead.  If you’d like some ideas for lighter and more satisfying holiday fare, join me for a cooking class on Saturday, November 13th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We’ll cover a range of dishes you’ll want to cook from Thanksgiving through to New Year’s.  For the moment, I’m leaving the precise menu open, and I’m asking those of you who want to participate to tell me which dishes you’d most like to have us cook in the class.  In ten days, I’ll put up a post announcing the final menu.  So, let me hear from you, email me at AlinderSF@aol.com.  The class will be held in the spacious kitchen of a private home in Menlo Park. Cost is $45, including recipes and a full lunch. I’m committed to having the class be an enriching experience, and also a fun social occasion. This is the only class I’ll be teaching this year, so email me at AlinderSF@aol.com to get your name on the list.

———–

SUSANNE JENSEN AND MEREDITH McCARTY OFFER AUTUMN COOKING CLASSES AS WELL:

It must be cooking class season! Susanne Jensen and Meredith McCarty, both highly regarded teachers, will also be offering classes this fall. Meredith is teaching in Larkspur, Menlo Park and Palo Alto (for complete details, click here). Susanne’s October class features black bean chili, jalapeño cornbread, and much more. Her November class stars tempeh, along with roasted root veggies, an elegant green salad and apple pie. She’ll teach both classes at Purcell Murray in Brisbane (full details here).  All three of us are teaching our November classes on Saturday the 13th, but mine is in the morning, and theirs are in the afternoon, so this could be your opportunity to take two great classes on the same day!