Exploring, touching, smelling, tasting and transforming seasonal vegetables, all aboard a food truck: this was the unique adventure that 160 children from Reims and Épernay had the chance to take part in over the summer, thanks to the financial endowment from Philanthropic ArsNova – whose mission is to champion the culinary arts and the importance of healthy, sustainable food.
What if we could learn to enjoy cooking for ourselves, and to try foods together? What if we could replace butter with courgette when making a chocolate cake? How about daring to taste a pungent garlic sauce, or feta cheese? The workshops last for two hours, and the children are absorbed in the game: sporting chef’s hats and aprons, guided by an activity leader and a dietician, they’re gathered aboard a foot truck, playing the role of mini-chefs. For most this is a new experience, and an exciting one for all. “We work on understanding the five senses, sweet and savoury, seasonal fruit and vegetables…the idea is to let them explore the flavours and get them involved in making the dishes. They can all join in; we use simple recipes that aren’t too complicated, without needing too many tools so that they can make them again at home. They really listen; they’re completely tuned in,” beams Manon Edeline, the workshop’s dietician.
Little Ambassadors
The Philanthropic ArsNova endowment fund, launched in 2023 by the Maison Taittinger, is behind the project. “In our culinary arts department, we took over the management of Le Taittinger (the international prize for cuisine d’auteur), which has now been renamed the ArsNova Culinary Prize. In addition to this initiative, we wanted to introduce as many people as possible to the wonders of cuisine. If people can’t imagine that this could be for them, or if the pleasure of cooking and gathering round a table isn’t part of their everyday life, then we go out into the world and bring it to them,” explains director Marie Rouvillois. Working alongside the Les Insatiables association, this summer ArsNova took the scheme to 6-10 year-olds living in low-income neighbourhoods in Reims and Épernay. “The goal is to educate kids about healthier and more sustainable food, to recreate the magic of the dinner table, to make meals about spending time together and forging connections, where we take our time and show interest in others. 160 children were involved, each going home with a chef’s hat, a handful of recipes and a basket of fruit and veg provided by a local partners: 160 proud ambassadors ready to share what they’ve learned with their families.”
Georgiana Viou: future sponsor
Taking a very positive view of this first tour (“When you see their eyes light up, it makes it all worthwhile!”), Marie Rouvillois is already looking ahead to the next stage: “Our guiding principle is to support the participants over the long term. We’re already planning to visit summer activity centres to extend the tour, with even more festive events to eventually get parents and siblings involved. We’re currently meeting with donors to help us achieve these greater ambitions.We also hope to partner with some Michelin-starred chefs, so they can pass on their expertise to some up-and-coming chefs.” Georgiana Viou, a chef with a penchant for these kinds of projects, has already agreed to sponsor the next edition.
