La Diva does Earth Day with the Kids!

La Diva shows a schoolgirl how to use the julienne peeler.

Darlings! When La Diva was offered the opportunity to teach Miami school children how to utilize a garden vegetable in a kid-friendly meal, I jumped at the chance! It was only a week before that I had met Fairchild Tropical Garden's Special Events Associate Melissa Contreras at the Overtown Farmers market and told her how I would like to get more involved in urban gardens and teaching kids how to cook and enjoy the bounty from their community gardens. In the weird way the world works, a week later Melissa contacted me for an Earth Day opportunity to do just that.

With the help of Fairchild Tropical Gardens and Bloomingdales The Falls, two sets of Miami school children were bussed to the store on the morning of Earth Day to participate in the store's "Going Green Initiative." The students were instructed by Fairchild Garden staff about various plants, vegetables and herbs and how to plant them to create their own gardens. Afterwards, the kids were sent to the Bloomingdales kitchen where La Diva demonstrated to them how to prepare a delicious dish they could make utilizing vegetables grown in their own gardens.

It was La Diva's first time demonstrating specifically for children and while I was a bit nervous, I knew I had to do two things to guarantee a successful class: Engage the kids as much as possible and make them a dish that was kid-friendly.

I had a few kids from each class help me out by reading the recipe, helping me peel veggies and mixing the pasta. But the one thing that really got the kids excited was when La Diva asked if any of them could "shake it?" They jumped up, eagerly raising their hands and danced around! Of course, I needed their help in coating the chicken with corn starch in a zip lock bag by shaking it! The kids were thrilled.

With the help of a few of my friends and blogging buddies (Many thanks Making Space, Gardening Under the Florida Sun, Eggplant to Go!, Deborah and Heather!) I got feedback about the recipe I wanted to try: La Diva's Super Amazing Honey Chicken with Three Colored Spaghetti. I figured every kid loved chicken nuggets with honey sauce and spaghetti and I wanted to sneak the veggies in by julienning them in long strips and adding them raw. It worked.

One mother who was helping dish out the plates said to me: "What if they don't like vegetables? Shall I make some plates without?"

"NO WAY!," exclaimed La Diva! " To get them to try veggies is the entire point of this demo!"

And just then a little angel sitting in the front row piped in: "I don't even like zucchini but I love this, Miss Diva!"

Out of the mouths of babes! It was a fun and informative day for all and I look forward to my next opportunity to teach kids!

To see the photos and get the recipe, click HERE!

Ciao for now, darlings!

If you are looking for unique party entertainment, why not call La Diva Cucina? I'll come to your house and get the party started with my hip culinary demonstrations! For more info and Miami cooking classes click HERE!cooking class, cocktails, parties, cocktail party, Miami, coral gables, events, bartending class, cocktail class, Laura Lafata, Miami Beach, miami cooking classes, bachelorette parties, bachelorette party, personal chef, corporate events, catering, personal chef, party entertainment, www.ladivacucina.com, top chef