This spring the Kensington library hosted a party for the children and families that have participated in “KEN Cooks”, a special Maker Jawn program made possible by a Curiosity Creates grant given to us by the Association for Library Service to Children. The party included a screening of all the cooking shows we have made during the program, including a special “behind the scenes documentary” made by one of our regular makers. Check out all of the “KEN Cooks” videos on our Maker Jawn You Tube channel. The recipes featured in our videos focus on cooking with ingredients grown locally.

During the last few months of the cooking program we made carrot muffins, sweet potato soup with biscuits, cheesy potato pancakes, and we screen printed our own reusable bags and aprons with designs that the participants had come up with. Local artist, Lauren Pakradooni, came to teach us how to screen print. Every participant was able to print and take home their own bag and apron.

 

Some participants went all out to make their pieces unique:

We also finished putting together our own cook book that includes all the recipes we made during the program, children’s drawings, and a bonus recipe (apple crisp) for the participants to make at home. During our final party participants measured out ingredients and collected a bag full of all the supplies needed to make an apple crisp at home, even the mixing bowl and wooden spoon.

Of course they also got a copy of our unique and festive cook book:

Our party also featured a “creative snack” contest, chef hats, and a soup dinner provided by The Good Spoon Soupery. Many Maker mentors and parents came to eat, watch, party, and (thankfully) help clean up. It has been amazing to share my love of healthy local food with the KEN library community. Cooking always brings people together and it is my hope that it will continue to do so at the Kensington Library. The Curiosity Creates grant allowed us to purchase the equipment and supplies to make a mini kitchen in the library’s Maker Space so that cooking can become a permanent learning opportunity at KEN. It has been amazing to watch the Makers read recipes, measure ingredients, try new foods, share ideas and collaborate on designs. I hope the passion for food and cooking continues!