Cooking it up at BlogHer09 with the Common Threads kids

The most important thing about blogging is that it enables you to reach out and connect with people. So when Edelman PR invited me to the Quaker Oats sponsored blogger event at the Washburne Culinary Institute for Common Threads, I was thrilled to go. I knew connecting with the other bloggers as well as the kids, chefs and volunteers would be the perfect way to kick off BlogHer09.

Common Threads

Common Threads is a non-profit, Chicago based organization whose mission is to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being and to foster an appreciation of cultural diversity through cooking. Kids can enroll in the Common Threads Summer Camp, which teaches 8- to 11-year-olds about world cuisine and kitchen skills.

When talking to Chef Josh, I learned that most of the kids are in the free and reduced lunch program at school and are able to attend the camp at low or no cost, though there are kids whose parents pay full tuition as well.

Meeting everyone

Sarah from Sarah and the Good Squad, Devra from Parentopia, Melanie from ModermMami and Vanessa from Chef Druck and I met up with Jessica from Edelman in the lobby of the Sheraton and got to know each other better as our van took us through Chicago to the Washburne Culinary Institute. Sarah gave me one of her infamous church keys – still one of my favorite pieces of swag from BlogHer09.

We quickly put on our aprons and white chef hats, and met Chef Josh and the camp volunteers. Then we joined the campers in a big kid version of circle time where they danced and we all stretched. The kids aren’t just learning about nutrition, they also learn that moving your body is important, too. (Plus, I bet it helps get rid of the wiggles, before they enter the kitchen.)