In response to the recent heat wave, Tasting Week 2014 started today with a series of very fresh fruit and vegetable demonstrations across four Palo Alto schools.

Chef Kelsey Casavan from LB Steak made a smoothie with apples, oranges and kale for the children of Barron Park Elementary school. Chef Beverlie Terra from Dolce Hayes Mansion hosted an interactive workshop at Addison Elementary school where kids made lettuce wraps with grated squash, zucchini and cucumbers dipped in a home-made healthy ranch sauce. The entire MP room smelled like herbs and fresh cucumber juice.

Chef Christy Wolf from Sur La Table created excitement at Escondido Elementary school’s garden club with a quiz on exotic vegetables and fruits, which some children got to taste for the very first time.

Last but not least, our own Lea Bowmer from Tasting Week hosted a workshop on the Five Senses at Juana Briones Elementary, to teach children to use all their senses when appreciating food! Very successful first day. More details on each workshop to come…