Members of Immaculate Heart High School’s new cooking club recently served healthy smoothies and shakes to classmates in observance of Childhood Nutrition Day. The students prepared chocolate-banana shakes and kale, orange, apple and cucumber smoothies that were enjoyed in the school cafeteria.

Chef Kim Larson guided Immaculate Heart students, who are board members of the school’s new cooking club, in preparing smoothies and shakes for classmates in celebration of Childhood Nutrition Day. The annual event is staged by the American Culinary Federation’s Chef & Child Foundation. (photo courtesy of Immaculate Heart High School)

Childhood Nutrition Day is an annual October event held by the American Culinary Federation’s Chef & Child Foundation (ACF) promoting awareness of proper nutrition. The ACF encourages chefs to visit local schools for the event. Immaculate Heart, however, is fortunate to have its own ACF-certified chefs on campus – executive chef Dan Patterson and chef Kim Larson, of D&L Catering, which oversees Immaculate Heart’s Panda Café.

The day before the event, Larson guided cooking club members in the planning and preparation of simple yet nutritious recipes that students can make at home with their families.

“They also learned about kitchen safety and sanitation,” Larson added.

After chopping vegetables and fruit for blending and measuring cinnamon and milk, the students blended tasty servings that were handed out to other students. Judging by the number of enthusiastic customers, the drinks were well received.

“Chef Kim taught me and my fellow club board members how to make a vegetable taste great,” said Immaculate Heart sophomore Natalie George, who heads the cooking club.

While the chocolate-banana shakes might seem more likely to be popular, George said more students enjoyed the kale-combo smoothie.

“I think this was our most popular drink just because it’s extremely healthy with lots of vitamins and nutrients, and it tasted amazing,” George said. “Kale is known for not having the greatest taste, but mixing it together with oranges, apples and cucumber really added a boost of great flavor.”

Founded in 1906, Immaculate Heart High School serves female students in the 6th through 12th grades. The school is located at 5515 Franklin Ave. For information, call (323)461-3651, or visit www.immaculateheart.org.