Lorena Garcia

Get Kids Cookin' in the Kitchen

Chef Lorena Garcia Has the Recipe for Healthy and Happy Kids

Miami, FL - Celebrity chef Lorena Garcia has made it her mission to teach kids how to be healthy and fit by getting them in the kitchen and cooking. Lorena started Big Chef, Little Chef two years ago in response to the health and social problems caused by childhood obesity and diabetes. According to a recent study from the National Center for Health Statistics, about 34 percent of U.S. children ages 6-19 are overweight. And about half are considered to be obese.

Through a series of national workshops and colorful, healthy recipes, the Big Chef, Little Chef program educates and excites kids of all ages - and their families - about the benefits of nutrition and living a healthy, happy and positive life. Motivating children to be healthy is something the WHOLE family can get involved in. With everyone's hectic schedules, the time spent in the kitchen also means more quality time together.

"I always tell the kids that after one lesson, they are going to like to cook - and they do! They become eager to learn how to make yummy stuff to impress their friends and family," says Garcia. "Cooking is empowering for kids; they are doing a ‘grown-up' thing and feel proud of the finished product."

Lorena recommends starting with small tasks such as cutting or stirring ingredients.

These go a long way in helping kids become invested in the meal. As they become part of the preparation, they're usually more willing to eat what is on their plates.

Here are some quick tips to get children on the right track:

• Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, make sure kids are getting a nutritious start. Try Lorena's Apricot and Ricotta Cheese Toast and begin the day with a healthy blend of fruit, carbohydrates, fat and protein.
• In place of prepackaged snacks, prepare fun finger foods - cut up fruits and vegetables in fun shapes and pair with tasty sauces - kids love to dip! Try Lorena's vanilla orange yogurt dip - like a healthy creamsicle!
• For dessert one night, try a ‘parfait buffet' instead of cookies or cake. Substitute vanilla yogurt in place of ice cream and allow kids to choose from a variety of healthy toppings such as berries, granola or nuts.

Lorena also has great healthy eating tips and recipes for adults. For full recipes, more information on Big Chef, Little Chef or an interview with Chef Lorena Garcia, please contact Carrie Grandits at cgrandits@fwv-us.com or (212) 330-0701.

About Lorena Garcia/Big Chef, Little Chef:
Lorena Garcia was born in Venezuela and is a graduate of the world-renowned Johnson & Wales University Culinary Arts School. She trained in top restaurants in Paris, Italy, Japan, Korea, Thailand and China. She is the owner and executive chef of the celebrated ‘Elements' restaurant in Miami's Design District. Garcia's media background includes hosting regular cooking segments on both the Univison and Telemundo cable television networks. Her personal style and approach to cooking have landed her on the pages of Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Kiplinger's and Entrepreneur among other top lifestyle publications and her ‘Big Chef Little Chef' program in which she works with school aged children and their parents to teach them about nutrition and how to cook and eat properly, has been reported on by hundreds of media outlets across the U.S. and Latin America.

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