For the third year in a row, we partnered with Wellstar Health System for their interactive Family Series at the Battery. Children ages 4-12 rolled up their sleeves, donned their chef’s hats, and made Summer Salsa Fresca with our chef, Asata Reid! 

If you were to walk around the tables on the Plaza Green during the hands-on cooking lesson, you would see children learning to safely hold a child-safe knife, practicing their fine motor skills, and bravely tasting their creations. (See below!)

Children received a “I tried it” sticker and a copy of the Salsa recipe, as well as the confidence to make their very own snack. 

We were also joined by Dr. WellBee, the Wellstar mascot! Dr. WellBee sat down with the kids to work on fine motor skills by picking parsley leaves for the Summer Salsa Fresca. 

Can you guess what the kids’ favorite part of the event was? The hand mixer of course! Kids LOVE to demonstrate their strength, and hands-on cooking is an amazing way to help them show off. Chef Asata prompted each child to count their pulls of the hand mixer (math is everywhere in hands-on cooking!) A chorus of “One, Two, Three! I did it!” could be heard from across the Plaza Green. We love those “I did it!” moments.

At the end of the event, each child tasted their creation. We heard exclamations of “yum,” “I like it” and even “I wish it had more lime!”

Wellstar Health System is nationally recognized for its inclusive culture, exceptional doctors and team members, and personal, high-quality care. Wellstar’s mission is to enhance the health and well-being of every person they serve. We are so grateful for Wellstar’s dedication to giving all children the opportunity for fun, interactive food education!

Until next year: try something new every day; you never know when you will try your next favorite food!