Southern Food & Beverage Museum Reopens with Kid Cooking Ambassador

The  SoFAB Institute and The Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans were founded on the premise: "Food  is the one element of life that can unite the traditions and cultures of the world into one peace loving healthy family, regardless of one's race or religion." We are delighted to announce that they are moving into their 30,000-square-foot building at 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard -- the former Dryades Market -- on September 29, 2014 and we can't wait to visit.

As always, their  focus is in tracing the foods we eat back to the source to better understand  how and why they influence and shape our perceptions and our health.

Despite all the upheaval in their move, the SoFAB Institute has initiated a kid's menu of educational and fun interactive activities that are leading children of all ages, and their parents, to a future of healthier food choices. The recently expanded and widely popular kid's programs include monthly storytelling, gardening, weekend cooking classes and a kids culinary summer camp. 

Award given to SoFAB Kids Ambassadors

In keeping  up with all that is going on for children, SoFAB founder Liz Williams and her team decided they needed a Kids Ambassador who would exemplify the healthy cooking and eating habits they are promoting.

Choosing a SoFAB Kids Ambassador

"We did not need to look far from home. We are proud and happy to announce that Kid Chef Eliana (Eliana de Las Casas), the award-winning 13-year old chef, radio show host, and author, (who we have  watched  cook and grow since SoFAB opened) has been named the Kids Ambassador of the SoFAB Institute. In that capacity Kid Chef Eliana will work with us to spread the message of sustainability, healthy cooking and eating, and whole person literacy (including nutritional and reading literacy.)"

Kid Chef  Eliana de Las Casas is a Taste Award honoree for Special Achievement in the Outstanding Kids category for her role as host of “Cool Kids Cook,” her weekly web radio show on the VoiceAmerica Kids network. The TASTE AWARDS are the highest awards for the Lifestyle Entertainment Industry. She accepted her award at a red carpet event at Grauman’s Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, California in January.

Winning SoFAB Kids Ambassador Eliana de las Casas

Her second cookbook, "Cool Kids Cook: Louisiana," won a 2013 Parents’ Choice Approved Award. Her third cookbook, "Cool Kids Cook: Fresh & Fit" (Pelican Publishing) has just been released. It focuses on fresh foods and healthier recipes for families. 

It is the mission at SoFAB to have those kids carry forward their skills into adulthood.  In the planning stages is a huge play area for children where they can learn through play about healthy eating and the farm-to-table process.

The SoFAB Culinary Library and Archives opened in October 2013; its goal is to amass the largest collection of children’s culinary literature in the county, and an exhibit on children’s culinary literature is in the works.

We agree with Chef Eliana. Her mission is to encourage families to cook together and to inspire kids to become culinary explorers.

As Eliana always says, “Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!” 

Guest post by Babbie De Derian