| New TV show has local kids cooking |
 By DONNA VICKROY. Who better to teach kids about healthy foods than other kids? Orland Park resident Cherise Ragland recently saw her longtime dream come to fruition. The founder of USA Cooking Camps Inc. is executive producer and founder of a new televised kids cooking show aimed at expanding the palate and culinary skills of youngsters across America. "I have to pinch myself that this is really happening," Ragland said. "The Jr. Cuisine Cooking Show," filmed at Macy's Culinary Studio in Chicago, debuts at 11 a.m. Aug. 28 on WYCC-TV (Channel 20). The program features 16 youngsters, including Tier Spencer, of Harvey, and Lucien Cambric, of Lynwood. On the show, five kids cook, six report from the field and five perform in the Jr. Cuisine band. Twelve-year-old Tier has spent much of her summer rehearsing for her role as a field correspondent. "We'll go to different places and restaurants and look at how food is made and where it comes from," she said. Under the guidance of a guest local chef, the kids also will explore new cuisines, learn about nutrition and food safety. Each segment will highlight an easy-to-make healthy dessert, Ragland said. Lucien, 10, plays keyboard and is one of two lead singers in the band. Tier and Lucien were selected from more than 1,600 kids who auditioned in May. For Tier, who loves to cook her grandmother's recipe for Totally Terrific Taco Lasagna, the opportunity brings her closer to her goal of becoming an actress and model when she grows up. For Lucien, who writes his own songs and who "loves to eat," the show puts him on the path toward realizing his dream of becoming an entertainer. And for Ragland, who has her sights set on the show going national, her dream of making kids better consumers and preparers of food is fast becoming a reality. "This is perfect timing," she said. "So much of the focus today is on eating better." Source » |
