“The Mission of Common Threads is to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being, and to foster an appreciation of cultural diversity through cooking.”

    I applied for a job with Common Threads, so I could become better aquainted with working with kids. I knew that this was a non-profit organization started by Art Smith (Oprah’s former Personal Chef) and that I would be teaching underpriviled kids who may not have experienced or eaten healty cooking. This is a FREE after school program that cycles every eight weeks and also has a three month ”summer camp” that includes gardening.
What happened in those eight weeks has made me think about and appreciate the foods I was fed in my youth and also come to be more comfortable teaching kids.

   Each week in class we would visit a different country and learn about the culture and foods that they ate. Then the kids would cook a meal, set the table, do dishes and eat as a group. What suprised me the most was the bond that I developed with “MY KIDS” a term I used when referring to them. On our last day, I had was sad to see them go, but I knew that in some small way I had a impact on their lives.

   Every year Common Thread has a HUGE fundraiser at the Museum of Contemporary Art here in Chicago. Many well known and well respected chefs from around the United States generously donate their time in suppport of the organization. As a chef instuctor I was asked to volunteer my time to work with a “out-of-town” chef for the event.
As you can see from the picture above I was paired with Tom Colicchio, owner of the famed Craft restaurants and Head Judge on “Top Chef”. That night raised over $400,000 for Commom Threads and I was proud to be a part of it.
   
  For more information on this organization please visit the website: commonthreads.org

Happy Cooking and Healthy Eating!
Chef Alekka