Cooking Light: Lunch Box Challenge

Our friends at Cooking Light are searching for the healthiest, tastiest lunch—for school or office—in the country. Share your original healthy lunch photo and description for the chance to appear on CookingLight.com and in the pages of Cooking Light. The top 10 finalists will win $100 and a Cooking Light cookbook.

ENTER NOW – IT’S EASY!

1. Upload your photo in one of two eligible categories: Lunchbox for Kids – OR – Office Brown-Bag Lunch.

• Be sure your lunch follows the ChooseMyPlate.gov guidelines—balanced with half the meal made up of fruit and veggies, whole grains when possible, and lean protein.
• Lunches cannot require cooking once packed, but they can be reheated in the microwave.

2. Include a brief description of what makes your lunch so delicious and nutritious.

Nominations are open April 10-May 24. Finalists will be announced the following week and voting will open at that time. Check back for more details!

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner.  Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children.  She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Blueberry Contest and Recipe

Recipe Contest Alert!!!!

Our friends at Blueberries are hosting a recipe contest for all bloggers. Create an original blueberry recipe and you could win big!! Click here to find out more on how to participate on this awesome blueberry challenge!!

 Blueberry Pumpkin Bread

Also make sure to try this nutrient packed scrumptious winter breakfast that will surely make tummies smile, from our friends at The Highbush Blueberry Council!

Ingredients

• 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, not thawed
• White icing, optional (recipe follows)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Butter an 8-½ x 4-½ inch loaf pan
3. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat pumpkin, sugar, orange juice, eggs and oil until smooth, about 1 minute
4. In small bowl, stir flour, baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice
5. Add to pumpkin mixture
6. Stir just until combined
7. Spoon ¹⁄₃ of batter into pan
8. spread evenly
9. Stir blueberries into remaining batter in bowl and spoon over batter in pan, spread evenly
10. Bake until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 60 to 65 minutes
11. Cool in pan on a rack for 10 minutes
12. Turn out onto rack
13. Cool completely
14. May be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 1 month
15. If desired, drizzle with White Icing (recipe follows)

White Icing

1. In bowl, combine 1 cup sifted confectioners ugar and 2 tablespoons softened butter
2. Add 1-½ to 2 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla
3. Beat until smooth
4. Drizzle over cake
5. Makes about ½ cup

Yield: 1 loaf

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner.  Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children.  She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Fall/Spring Class Schedule and Special Events

What’s Cookin’ with The Creative Kitchen?!

Fall/Spring Class Schedule and Special Events

*Please note that all classes require advance registration.

Remaining Fall Classes

Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center

120 Warren St., between Greenwich and West Street

Registration Phone #:  212-766-1104

http://www.thecreativekitchen.com/classes-and-events/

Fun Foods for Toddlers

“Fun Foods for Toddlers” is The Creative Kitchen’s class designed to bring age-appropriate recipes to toddlers and their families, with a special focus on themes, colors, numbers and shapes. Parents learn techniques for getting toddlers to help-out in the kitchen and incorporating new and wholesome foods into the family’s diet.

Monday Series 10:30-11:30am, October 1^st  – December 17^th, Ages 2 to 4, 12 classes

Thursday Series 11am – 12pm, October 4^th – December 20^th, Ages 2 ½ to 5, 12 classes 

Cost: $480 per series 

City Treehouse 

192A W 20^th Street, between 6^th and 7^th Avenues

Registration Phone #: 212-255-2050

http://www.thecreativekitchen.com/classes-and-events/

Fun with Food 

Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen present a hands-on cooking series. Recipes feed the brain and the belly, focusing on themes such as numbers, colors and shapes. Adult participation required.

Ages 2 to 4 

Tuesdays, 10:30am-11:15am, September 11^th – December 18^th, 14 classes 

Series Price: $40/class; $560/session 

Everybody Eats Lunch

Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen present a hands-on cooking series. Children will experience different flavors, textures and recipes as they cook their own lunches! Everyone eats their dish at the end! Adult participation required.

Ages 2.5 to 5 

Fridays, 12:00-12:45pm, September 14^th – December 21^st, 14 classes

Series Price: $40/class; $560/session

Upcoming Fall Special Events

J&R Jr. Chanukah Event

J&R Jrs. @ J&R Music and Computer World

23 Park Row, at Ann Street

The Creative Kitchen and Cricket Azima will host a hands-on cooking class for kids ages 2 and older (adult chaperone required) from 4:15 – 5pm.  Participants will make and eat Playtime Pasta – a taste of what’s to come in The Creative Kitchen’s cooking classes offered at J&R Jr.’s.  For more information or to register for these classes, visit www.thecreativekitchen.comor call 718-406-7506.

Ages: 2yrs and up 

Event Date/Time: Wednesday, December 12^th 4:15-5:00pm

Kids! Winter Wonderland 

Wholefood Bowery Market

95 East Houston St

The recipes may vary, but one thing remains the same—cultures from all over the planet celebrate the winter holidays with family and food! In this hands-on class, kids of all ages will learn how to make some fun and festive holiday favorites that celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, all in one afternoon.

On the Menu: Mashed-Potato Latkes with Applesauce and Sour Cream; Kwanzaa “Celebration Stew” with Chicken and Collard Greens; Gingerbread Cupcakes with Maple-Cinnamon Frosting; Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Organic Valley Milk.

Ages 2 to 5 (+1 caregiver), 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (to register http://wfmkids2-5.eventbrite.com/)

Ages 6 to 9 (drop-off class), 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (to register http://wfmkids6-9.eventbrite.com/)

Ages 10 to 13 (drop-off class), 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm (to register http://wfmkids10-13.eventbrite.com/)

 Event Date/Time: Sunday, December 16^th 12pm – 5:30pm 

City Treehouse Winter Event

192A W 20^th Street, between 6^th and 7^th Avenues

Registration Phone #: 212-255-2050

http://www.thecreativekitchen.com/classes-and-events/

Warm up with winter treats. In this hands-on class, kids will learn how to make fun and festive wintertime favorites while enjoying Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Organic Valley Milk!

Ages 2 to 6

Saturday, January 26^th, 11:00am – 12:00pm

 Upcoming Spring Classes

Karma Kids Yoga

104 West 14th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues

Phone: 718-406-7506

http://www.thecreativekitchen.com/classes-and-events/

The Creative Kitchen Lunch Club at Karma Kids

The Creative Kitchen nourishes mind and body at Karma Kids! Children experience different flavors and textures of wholesome ingredients while getting hands-on to create balanced dishes that stimulate the senses. Incorporate good-for-you foods into your kid’s diet while focusing on themes such as numbers, colors, and shapes.  Everyone enjoys their delicious creation for lunch at the end of class.

Ages 2 to 5

Mondays, 1-2pm, January 7^th to March 11^th, 10 classes

Cost: $45/class; $400/session

J&R Jr.

23 Park Row, at Ann Street

Registration Phone #: 718-406-7506

http://www.thecreativekitchen.com/classes-and-events/

Lunch Club

Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen team create age-appropriate recipes that focus on kid-friendly themes, colors, numbers, and shapes. Toddlers have fun with their adult chaperone (required) cooking and eating and a delicious dish in each class. Bellies of all ages will leave happy and satisfied! Icing on the cake–kids have a blast making food related arts and crafts!

Ages K-2^nd Grade

Wednesdays, 11:30am – 12:15pm, January 9^th – March 13th, 10 classes

Cost: $45/class; $400/session (chaperone must attend)

After School Snack Club

Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen team create age-appropriate recipes that focus on kid-friendly themes, colors, numbers, and shapes. Children have fun cooking and eating and a delicious dish in each class. Bellies of all ages will leave happy and satisfied! Icing on the cake–kids have a blast making food related arts and crafts!

Ages Kindergarten to 2^nd Grade

Wednesdays, 3:45pm – 4:45pm, January 9^th – March 13th, 10 classes

Cost: $45/class; $400/session (drop-off optional)

After School Dinner Club

Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen team create age-appropriate recipes that focus on kid-friendly themes, colors, numbers, and shapes. Children have fun cooking and eating and a delicious dish in each class. Bellies of all ages will leave happy and satisfied! Icing on the cake–kids have a blast making food related arts and crafts!

Ages 3^rd Grade to 5^th Grade

Wednesdays, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, January 9^th – March 13th, 10 classes

Cost: $45/class; $400/session (drop-off optional)

Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center

120 Warren St., between Greenwich and West Street

Registration Phone #:  212-766-1104

http://www.thecreativekitchen.com/classes-and-events/

City Treehouse 

192A W 20^th Street, between 6^th and 7^th Avenues

Registration Phone #: 212-255-2050

http://www.thecreativekitchen.com/classes-and-events/

Fun with Food 

Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen present a hands-on cooking series. Recipes feed the brain and the belly, focusing on themes such as numbers, colors and shapes. Adult participation required.

Ages 2 to 4

Tuesdays, 10:30am-11:15am, January 8^th – April 9^th, 12 classes

Series Price: $40/class; $560/session

Everybody Eats Lunch

Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen present a hands-on cooking series. Children will experience different flavors, textures and recipes as they cook their own lunches! Everyone eats their dish at the end! Adult participation required.

Ages 2.5 to 5

Fridays, 12:00-12:45pm, January 11^th – April 12^st, 12 classes

Series Price: $40/class; $560/session

Taste Matters with Mitchell Davis

Kids Food Festival Partners with Cooking Light

NEW YORK, July 12, 2012—

The Kids Food Festival™, a premier family-oriented food event, and Cooking Light, the nation’s leading epicurean magazine brand,announced today a partnership to educate families about making balanced food choices through an expanded event series.  The new series, The Kids Food Festival™, in partnership with Cooking Lightwill offer family-friendly cooking classes, food demonstrations, food sampling, and entertainment to help create wholesome lifelong eating habits for both kids and parents.   

“We are so excited to be working with Cooking Light to expand the footprint and offerings of The Kids Food  Festival™ this fall in New York City and beyond,” says Cricket Azima, The Kids Food Festival™ Founder. “The mission of both organizations are so closely aligned that it made sense to join forces to educate families about making balanced food choices.”

“At Cooking Light we understand the importance of instilling healthy eating habits at a young age and we’re always striving to deliver creative recipes to our consumers who want to feed their families healthy, delicious meals every day,” says Karla Partilla, Cooking LightPublisher. “Partnering with The Kids Food Festival™ allows us bring to life our philosophy of healthy, delicious food through hands-on classes, sampling, and activities the whole family will enjoy.”

The Kids Food Festival™, in partnership with Cooking Light is proud to continue working with the James Beard Foundation, which helps to develop and execute many of the chef led hands-on kids cooking classes throughout the festival.

 The Kids Food Festival™, in  partnership with Cooking Light gets cookin’ in New York City on November 3 and 4 and will expand to Washington, D.C. in April 2013.

A portion of the ticketed class proceeds from The Kids Food Festival™, in partnership with Cooking Light will benefit FoodCorps (www.foodcorps.org), the event’s featured charity.    

For more information about The Kids Food Festival™, in partnership with Cooking Light go to: www.kidsfoodfestival.com and check the event out on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/KidsFoodFestival.  For the latest information about the event follow us on Twitter: @KidsFoodFestNYC.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Founder Cricket Azima at cricket@kidsfoodfestival.com.

About Kids Food Festival
The Kids Food Festival™, a premier family-oriented food event, is presented by The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, a company that teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner.  Targeting families with children ages two and older, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, inspires children to express themselves creatively through cooking, social studies, arts and sciences.

Eat Play Local Day…What Fun!

Last week, Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen took part in Eat Play Local Day at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan hosted by Edible Manhattan and we had a blast!  What’s not to love about our Mixed-Up Sandwiches, milk and cookies from Organic Valley and Whole Foods‘ Get Your Greens On Smoothies?  Check out some of our favorite pictures from the event, it looks like you had a great time too!

Eat Play Local Day

Stop by the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on June 27th from 11:00am to 1:30pm for a fun and food-filled Eat Play Local Day celebration that both kids and parents can sink their teeth into.

Your little ones can take part in a hands-on cooking demonstration with the Creative Kitchen Big Cheese, Cricket Azima, and munch their way through all the food-filled fun of Eat Play Local Day! We’ll be there serving up Mixed Up Sandwiches, made with tomatoes, peppers, basil, white beans, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Organic Valley American Singles and whole wheat bread.

The cherry on top? The event, hosted by our friends at Edible Manhattan, is free with paid admission to the museum. To RSVP, send an email to info@ediblemanhattan.com or click here for more info.

Fiesta Fun Day… Mucho Fun!

After last week’s Fiesta Fun Day at Whole Foods Bowery Culinary Center, siestas were on the menu all around! Los niños agreed that there was nothing more fun than squishing avocados with their hands!

Fiesta Fun Day! Ole!

Hola amigos and amigas! 

Cricket Azima Represents The Creative Kitchen at the James Beard Awards 2012

Congratulations to the winners at last night’s James Beard Awards!

And the winners are: