Healthy eating habits often start with good kitchen memories. When kids are encouraged to be involved in the preparation of meals at home, they are likely to develop a more positive attitude toward food. To promote healthful food choices, Nestlé Philippines and Le Toque Blanche (LTB) Philippines Chefs Association invited children of Nestlé employees to a fun and interactive culinary experience in celebration of International Chefs Day last October 17.
The young “Food Explorers” first learned about the six hero ingredients for the activity—namely apple, carrot, oats, nuts, mushroom, and spinach—and their nutritional value. Nutritionist-Dietitian Deborah Fajarda also talked about the importance of a balanced plate and the role of each food group in nourishing one’s body.
With new found appreciation for these ingredients, the participants, guided by chefs from LTB Philippines and Philippine Young Chefs Club (PYCC), donned their toques and tried their hands at making two nutritious treats: Apple & Carrot Muffins and Healthy Veggie Power Nuggets. Chef JA Ventura, President of LTB Philippines, led the demo with the help of the Philippine Young Chefs Club led by President CJ Abitona.
“Instead of just making the kids look at pictures, there has to be an experiential part of the learning. When they see ingredients like spinach transformed into familiar dishes, they realize healthy food can actually taste great,” said Chef Regina “Ajie” Mendoza, Corporate Chef of Nestlé Professional. “It’s a very smart way of introducing healthful ingredients and instilling the practice of eating vegetables and fruits early on.”
For LTB Philippines President Chef JA Ventura, the event served as an avenue to recognize chefs as mentors to young children. It was also an opportunity to celebrate International Chefs Day alongside fellow chefs and culinary professionals in a more impactful way. “As chefs, we often work to make other people’s special occasions memorable by serving good food and ensuring the whole experience is perfect. This time, we get to celebrate together with a purpose,” he added.
One of the Food Explorers for the day was six-year-old Inigo, who was accompanied by his mom, Emmaly Viray. She shared how her son loves to roleplay as a chef at home, making the experience even more memorable for him.
“Today, he was able to try foods that he doesn’t often eat and even help in making the muffins and nuggets. I’m really happy that he got to experience this and maybe even be inspired to pursue a career as a chef in the future,” she said. When asked how she promotes healthy eating at home, Emmaly shared that she makes sure to incorporate vegetables into their meals and emphasize the importance of nutritious food for growing children.
The celebration of International Chefs Day is a product of Nestlé Philippines’ long-standing partnership with LTB Philippines through Nestlé Professional. It is fueled by the shared mission of both organizations to champion tasty and balanced meals to families and communities.
Beyond meaningful partnerships, Nestlé Philippines empowers its customers to Choose Good through product fortification, nutrition education programs, and innovations in R&D—guided by its purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come.
