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Popular Healthy Cooking Demonstrations with Renowned Chefs Returns for a Second Year

New York, NY – The James Beard Foundation, America’s foremost nonprofit culinary arts organization, announced today it is extending its partnership with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) to produce high quality programming at the museum for families interested in healthy cooking. The program, which is entering its second year, features chefs partnered with the James Beard Foundation who demonstrate delicious, affordable recipes that appeal to both children and adults. Part of CMOM’sEatSleepPlay™ initiative, these demonstrations have become one of the more popular public programs at the Museum.

“Over the past year, not only has the James Beard Foundation helped us raise awareness about the seriousness of the childhood obesity problem facing our communities, they’ve done it in a very positive way,” said Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director of CMOM. “Children are more likely to try – and like – healthy food when it is presented to them through fun demonstrations in a relaxed environment filled with other children. I’ve seen children trying chick peas, green beans, even Brussels sprouts!”

“The pace of our lives has made it hard enough for working families to put a home cooked meal on the table. Making a dish healthy is often times perceived to be either too time consuming and price prohibitive,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “One of the goals of our cooking demonstrations with CMOM is to debunk this misconception. The chefs present families with ideas and recipes that use fresh, affordable ingredients and are quick and easy to prepare. We also show how including children in meal planning and the cooking process can be a fun, family-bonding experience.”

The current schedule of programs in The James Beard Foundation Family Chef Series at CMOM runs through March and includes:

Saturday, November 24 – Sara Jenkins is the owner and chef of Veloce, Porchetta, and Porsena. Each of her restaurants focuses on a different Italian staple.

Thursday, December 27 – Jehangir Mehta is executive chef and owner of Graffiti, located in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood and Mehtaphor, situated in the Duane Street Hotel. He is the author of the cookbook Mantra: The Rules of Indulgence, and runs a cooking class for children at his restaurant.

Sunday, February 24 – Waldy Malouf is the chef and co-owner of Beacon Restaurant – Bar – Bakery, and the CEO and founder of High Heat Pizza Burgers & Tap in Greenwich Village. He is also author of The Hudson River Valley Cookbook: A Leading American Chef Savors the Region’s Bounty and High Heat: Grilling and Roasting Year-Round with Master Chef Waldy Malouf.

Wednesday, March 27 – Terrance Brennan is the chef/owner of the successful and acclaimed restaurants Picholine and Artisanal Fromagerie, Bistro & Wine Bar in Manhattan.

CMOM programs are made possible, in part, by a generous gift from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.

About the James Beard Foundation

Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to celebrating, nurturing, and preserving America’s diverse culinary heritage and future. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful and delicious food. Today, the Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships to culinary schools, publications, chef advocacy training, thought-leader convening, and by maintaining the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. For more information, please visit www.jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation’s blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter.

About Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Founded in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is New York City’s leading cultural institution dedicated solely to children and families. CMOM inspires children and their families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world through unique interactive exhibitions. CMOM presents a full range of activities, exhibits and special performances that stimulate children of all ages. Through multidimensional programs that reach deep into the community, the Museum serves New Yorkers from all backgrounds.  For details on all of CMOM’s programs, please visit www.cmom.org.