Cooking for the Kids

Bon Appétit and City Grit partner to support Edible Schoolyards NYC

In a testament to the rise and rise of farm-to-table initiatives, the advisory board of Edible Schoolyard NYC reads like a who’s who of the foodie world and beyond: David Chang, Danny Meyer, Michael Pollan, Angelique Kidjo, Alexandra Styron, etc. It’s hard to begrudge the non-profit its trendiness, though, given its mission of partnering with public schools to help build urban gardens and teach kids about healthy eating. 

Edible Schoolyard NYC is an affiliate of the original edible schoolyard in Berkeley, California, which was founded by culinary legend Alice Waters in 1995. Before he ever ate a worm on Man Vs. Wild, Jake Gyllenhaal got earthy by gardening with Waters and echoing her philosophy that food education provides “lessons that no state is testing for," and constitutes "one of the best investments in the future of our country.”

Last night’s Cooking for the Kids fundraiser for Edible Schoolyard NYC was not particularly star-studded, and no one ate worms. Instead, guests sat elbow-to-elbow on benches in City Grit’s shabby-chic dining room as the Bon Appétit test kitchen chefs sent out course after course of standout examples of recipes featured in the magazine.

To kick things off, there was Bugles-studded party mix, individually wrapped in bags adorned with quotes from Edible Schoolyard NYC students. “I don’t like broccoli. I love it,” read one. From there, the more serious eating commenced. Dishes included a grilled kale salad with strawberries and ricotta, grapefruit-cured gravlax made with arctic char, and chicken and dumplings. There was also an unofficial course of extra fried chicken skins, which ensured that only the strongest were able to finish dessert. “Come on,” urged one Bon Appétit staffer as she looked on at her friend’s untouched rhubarb tart, “it’s for the kids!” –Kate Guadagnino