A YUM Success

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When running an after-school program for teenagers, finding the balance between fun and meaningful is not an easy task. One of the ways YELS keeps things interesting is having guest speakers and chefs come into program. In the past few weeks, we have had two master chefs and a speaker from Planned Parenthood. All were incredibly successful, inspiring meaningful discussions and interest in foods from the world over.

Irina Vodonos, a recently hired asset to Neighborhood Houses’ Development Team, also happens to be a master chef. When asked to be a guest chef for YELS she jumped at the chance to demonstrate some of her own culture through cooking. Irina has her own immigration story to tell and looked forward to using food to introduce traditional Russian culture. Through a series of discussions and a quick peak in the produce box donated by New Roots Organics weekly, Irina and Laura decided on traditional recipes of: onion and radish salad, borscht, and  Russian Apple Cake “Sharlotka”. Using recipes from her own catering business, Moscow Kitchen, the youth each received a packet with ingredients and preparation instructions that were easy to read and execute. Before the youth arrived, the room was prepped and ready to go, with the expectation of about 12 attending. By the time cooking began, there were already 20 youth in the room with more expected. Although it was chaotic and loud, the youth were engaged and enthusiastic throughout the prep, and asked Irina multiple questions about Russia and the food they were cooking. Even with double the amount of youth, the class went well and the food was entirely eaten!