Lanette Doran likes to use fresh ingredients for her cooking class. So, to make sure that things are fresh, she goes right to the source. A week-long cooking class for children this past week had them venturing to the Mount Vernon Farmer's Market and GreenSpace Unlimited.
At GreenSpace Unlimited, the students heard an introduction from a GreenSpace Unlimited employee about herbs and then they smelled some mint, lavender, oregano and basil. Later, they would go around and try to find some of the herbs; and at the end of the class, they each went home with a potted herb.
On the menu for their day at GreenSpace Unlimited was basil pesto and penne with aubergine and mint pesto. Two different sessions gave children ages 6 to 8, and 9 to 12, an opportunity to learn more about fresh herbs and vegetables and how to eat healthy.
"They adored the behind-the-scenes pastry tour, were wide-eyed at the Farmer's Market, and went home and made their own pesto after the Garden Center," Doran said.
For more information about Lanette Doran's camps and classes, call 703-765-0304 or send an email to lanettedoran@yahoo.com. For more information about GreenSpace Unlimited, call 703-780-8657.
<1b>—Gale Curcio