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Family and Consumer Sciences

Ohio State University Extension

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Youth Discover Food Prep through Jr. Chefs Program

July 11, 2022

[Dayton Daily News] One group of young “chefs” slowly cut produce for small charcuterie boards, while those in another group concentrated on squeezing frosting on cupcakes. In another station, the focus was on making pizza quesadillas using tortillas, sauce, cheese, pepperoni and a small electric skillet. The lessons in the kitchen were part of the annual Jr. Chef program offered by the staff of the Miami County Ohio State University Extension office for county youth ages six to 12.

Day one of the three-day camp held at the Elizabeth Twp. Community Center featured a birthday theme, explaining several young people wearing birthday hats as they went about the business of learning their way around the kitchen a bit. This was the fourth year for Jr. Chefs, a program “dreamed up by us as a way to cook and explore food with youth,” Alisha Barton, extension educator, family and consumer science, said of the local Extension staff.

Other members include Amanda Bennett, educator, agriculture and natural resources, and Jessica Adams, educator, 4-H youth development. <Read complete Dayton Daily News article>