Rocco Dispirito visit to UAMA High!

"Talking to Chef Rocco, and learning how to keep the foods you like, but make them healthy for you was really cool. I want to take out white foods because those things are really bad for you. I learned that it is good to eat fats, but in moderation. My most valuable assest is my life" - Brianno

Rocco with Brianno, Emma and Shamere 

"I was a sou chef for the first time with Rocco. I learned about nutrients. I thought it was awesome how we decided to make unhealthy foods taste the same but be healthier. "- Emma Moise

"The food was really healthy and tasty!" - Ava

"I think its really cool how he takes the recipes tastier and healthier" - William Marshall

"He's so dreamy!" - Aaron Taylor

HealthCorps Gala 2012

HealthCorps Students had a ball selling Salsa, serving Vietnamese spring rolls and sharing their experiences in Teen Battle Chef @Gala 2012! 

Students prepping spring rolls in the Waldorf Astoria's kitchen! 

"My experience at the Gala hosted at the Astoria Hotel, was just incredible! I honestly, received a preview of what I want my future to look like. Apart from that, I was honored to work side by side these other students whom I've just met the same day. Cooking is definitely something I'd love to pursue in the future. - Pastor Solano 

Teens tabling and stealing the crowd! 

"It was my first time actually participating at the Heath Corps Gala and it was amazing. Meeting new people, coming together with the other schools to prep/make the spring rolls and salsa, as well as help West Side High School sell their salsa in the TBC booth was an unforgettable experience. I would most defiantly volunteer for this event again or any other event Health Corps has planned. I really had a great time!"

- Genesis Demera 

Maybelline, Liz, and Iskask take on the French Culinary Institute!

"I feel happy since this is the school. I want to attend (  ) this experience helped me meet new people and chefs that in turn fueled more of my dreams." - Iskask Lavan

"I am so amazed at this school, it's absolutely incredible. Being here makes me get more of a drive to pursue culinary.  Dreaming of being in this school since I was 13 or so. Amazing experience. it was worth getting a minor cut. definitely an awesome time - Elizabeth Cordero

Teens "Flipping the Table"

TBC partnered with Flip The Table for an afternoon filled with cooking, led by TBC's themselves, and great group discussion about carbon footprint and commodification, facilitated by the Flip The Table teens. 

TBC, Maybelline Amaya from UAMA leads teens through "Veggie ID" exercise where they try a variety of seasonal veggies and have to identify what they are. 

Flip the Table and TBC teens working together

"I have to say that the panzanella recipe tasted AMAZING! I enjoyed cooking, meeting new people and sharing ideas. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. Hopefully we can do it again” – Maybelline Amaya 

Dr. Oz USANA Battle!

In February, Teen Battle Chef students from HealthCorps schools in NY and NJ joined together to practice and prepare two delicious dishes: Kenyan Style Greens and Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens Soup! The two teams presented their dishes to an audience at Columbia University's School of Public Health for a HealthCorps and USANA press event.  The teams dazzled the crowd with their delicious recipes and presentations. The NJ team won for recipe taste and the NY team won for presentation skills! 

When asked to reflect on their experience - here is what some teen's had to say: 


"Ohh it was awesome.  I loved being in front of so many people and showing them what we had learned. I liked making and showing the dish and it was just like, "Ohh man, I'm actually cooking in front of so many people and professional chefs and especially Dr. Oz!" It was just amazing and I will never forget that day." - Maudiel Romero, New Jersey  


"For me personally, it was a competition I will never forget because I met Dr.Oz and Lisa Oz and 2 famous chefs and the two co-founders of USANA. This competition really meant a lot because it was the first time my mom saw me in a competition and she was so proud of me. Plus meeting these kids from Jersey was cool too." - Jonathan Espinosa, Aviation HS graduate

Molly B talking to Rocco Dispirito

Maudiel, Ariel, Krystal - NJ "Kenyan Greens" Team

Judges Panel

Dr. Oz congratulating the students

BK Salsa JARRING day - "The Kids"

Today, students from Urban Assembly (UAMA) and West Side High School joined together to jar over 300 jars of Salsa, with the help of the BK Salsa team (Rob, Matt & Casey) - created and prepared by the students themselves! Hear what some the students have to say about their experience working together and learning from the 'pros' about mass producing the "Sweet Heat" West Side Salsa - "The Kids". They used many fresh ingredients: mango, cucumber, green bell pepper, red onion, ginger, cilantro, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. 

"Having this opportunity to make this salsa has opened many culinary doors for me. It has shown me that cooking is more than just random ingredients being chopped and stirred; it is a form of art that requires curiosity and imagination." – Jonathan Hernandez

"This experience was amazing - getting to interact with others outside of UAMA was great, and I also loved getting the first hand experience of making the salsa with the founders and creators!" – Emma Moise

Sarah, West Side's HC Coordinator hard at work! 

Maybelline rolling out 200 limes!

Measuring out all of our ingredients for batches

Jessica, Emma, and Maybelline enjoying some Salsa!

Boxing up the finished product! 

BK Salsa Cookoff!

In partnership with BK Salsa, a new local salsa creator and distributor, we proposed a challenge to 2 Teen Battle Chef groups – who can create the most unique and delicious salsa? Teams from Urban Assembly High School in Brooklyn and West Side High School in Manhattan were up for the challenge!

After weeks of developing the perfect recipe, the two teams created their perfect recipe and competed for the best recipe.  West Side’s “Sweet Heat” recipe won the judges and audience vote – with their combination of sweet and spicy flavors: mango, cucumber, red onion, pepper, cilantro, ginger and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. 

Urban Assembly Team: Kano, Arnes, Maybelline, Brianno, Ebony 

West Side Team: Iskask, Star, Liz 

“Making this salsa with my friends from school was great. We really put our effort into it.  The competition was great! Although everything we made came out perfect – I was still shocked when we won!” – Star, West Side High School

“Making our salsa has been one of the most amazing opportunities that I have been given.  With this experience, I now have a stronger interest in the culinary arts. I am so happy that I was part of this experience. Yay for the Brooklyn Salsa Company!” – Liz Cordero-Hernandez, West Side High School 

Teen Battle Chef's on FOX Good Day New York!

In October Michele and Chima two of our star Teen Battle Chef's showed off their skills and knowledge with two delicious recipes on FOX Good Day New York.

Check it out here! http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/about_us/street_talk/street-talk-oct-1-2011

See what Chima & Michele  had to say about their experience...
"In the beginning I was very nervous because this was my first time cooking on television. I was afraid something would go wrong or I would forget an ingredient or even what I planned to say. I felt this experience really re-enforced my public speaking skills to a whole new level. In the end I was super excited that I made it through the segment without any mistakes and had fun working with Michele and doing what I love; teaching others how to be conscience about creating better /healthier eating habits not just for themselves but also for the ones they love."-Chef Chima

"On Thursday September 30 I was lucky enough to go on the Fox 5 Street Talk show with Chima. I spoke about how obesity affected people and even some of my weaknesses before I had joined Teen Battle Chef. It was VERY nerve wrecking but in the end I felt much better. Most definitely a great experience that I don't regret. Thanks Teen Battle Chef!"- Chef Michele

Abigail Kirsch Kitchen

My experiences in TBC definitely impacted the way I behaved in the kitchen at pier 60. It's been an all around great experience. I've done so much, for instance I work side by side with chefs cutting huge amounts of a certain fruit/vegetables. It was the nicest place to be and one of the chefs said "if we weren't nice to each other then work would be a lot harder" and it's true they spend majority of their time with each other. Personally, I would like to thank them for taking me into their home and showing me the ropes. -Chef Jonathon

Itrulli Resturant Internship

I'm a Teen Battle Chef intern and my site is in Itrulli. I work up close and personal with a very talented lady named Patti Jackson. I have learned things I never even knew were possible, It has opened so many doors and now I'm so grateful and I'm having a blast! The workshops, field trips, and the kitchen are all fun and I love it because it makes me happy to find a program that has given me so much. It showed me that we all can make a change no matter who we are. We are all the future so lets make it brighter by stirring up change! Be a Teen Battle Chef, join our journey!-Chef Ana

Dekalb Farm Grand Opening

This weekend the TBC's started interning at Dekalb Farm where they taught cooking demos and learned about urban farming! They embraced the sweltering head while making a cool and refershing zucchini ricotta dish.

It was extremely hot!

It was a new experience for me because I was able to do a cooking presentation with a real audience rather than my peers. It was a nervous and rattling experience, having people watch me during the whole session. The idea of having a farm and access to fresh ingredients was really amazing and it also made the food/dish tastier. Also, having people ask me for more information about my involvement was really awesome because it made me feel as though I was able to make a big impact on them. -Chef Chima

Brooklyn Grange Field Trip

Today we went to the Brooklyn Grange Farm and it was a nice day. When we got there our tour guide took us up to the roof and showed us around. There were a lot of vegetables. For example, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, onions, pepper, raddish, tomatoes, cucumber, eggplant etc. There was also bees and chickens. Some of us helped her feed the chickens and she informed us that the chickens lay six eggs every week. She allowed us the chance to try vegetables such as cucumbers and tomatoes. At the end of the day we took a group picture. It was a beautiful experience.- Chef Akosua  

This was my first time on a roof top farm. The experience was amazing and the farm was beautiful, calm and refreshing. I got the chance to taste a black cherry tomato and it tasted wonderful; nothing like locally grown food. I would definitely encourage more rooftop farms in the city because the taste and experience is nothing like I've ever seen before!- Chef Ayerine 

Queens Care Adult Home

This summer the TBC's have been been teaching at an adult home, giving fooducation to those who are in need for some intergenerational learning!

"Today was really interesting, I met the residents and each individual contributed something to today's session whether it was a joke or a nutrition fact.  Now I know what to prepare when I come here because I got insight on residents. I look forward to the incoming weeks  so that I can teach and learn more."-Chef Ayerine

"This was a really interesting learning experience. There were some interesting people as well. This helped me with my people skills, and I'm looking forward to next week."-Chef Richard

"It was fun and entertaining. I met new people and I also learned a new recipe."-Chef Lorenzo

"I learned that it is perfectly okay to embrace people who are much different than myself. Having an open mind and being optimistic about different situations helps out a lot and makes things more bearable. Everyone has a story to tell, no matter where they come from. It was very informative working there."-Chef Felicia 

BeFit NYC

This event was deeelicious the TBC's made some amazing veggie tacos with a lot spice and even more flavor. The crowds loved it and they did a great job on stage during their culinary showcase. Find the recipe at BeFitNYC.org to taste this dish yourself!!

" It was great I enjoyed my time preparing food"-Chef David

Cookout NYC

This past Sunday 17 Teen Battle Chef's attended NYC Cookout http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2011/05/cook_out_nyc.php and whipped up some amazing dishes from Buffalo tongue to Vietamese sandwiches! They're 2nd summer event on governor's island some of the teens knew what was ahead and others found out for the first time. A beautiful day to be out they worked and played hard at this fun festival filled with food and drink.   They met a lot of new people and had a great time working with the restaurants!! If interested in future Governor's Island events hosted by Jimmy's No. 43 please see http://jimmysno43.com/events/



"It was very fun and it was a great experience. At first I was nervous, but then it was actually very easy once I got into the groove."-Chef Daphne

"I had a great time! I enjoyed the new food and the different people. The Buffalo tasted Good!"-Chef Jonathon

"I had an amazing experience working with Jimmy's #43. I learned how to make a great Vietnamese sandwich. I hope to teach others how to make one as well."-Chef Felicia

"It was like a box of chocolates I didn't know what I was going to get, but it was fun." -Chef Yojerssy


"It was really amazing I learned so much from King. He is an amazing chef and this whole experience was wonderful."-Chef Chima


"I was very hungry and the food was good."-Chef Richard

"I met new and interesting people."-Chef Lorenzo

"It was a great experience and I wish I could do it again. I had a great time."-Chef Natasha

"It was very fun."-Chef Debbie

"It was nice meeting new people and eating the various foods. The people were really nice too."-Chef Akosua

"It was nice meeting people and it was fun because I tried foods from all over."-Chef Bobby

"I met different people and had a great time!"-Chef Genesis

Brewers Picnyc

The governor's island events that begin and end each summer are well known and the talk of the city every year. This year to kick off a summer of fun the TBC's helped Jimmy's No. 43 run 5 different booths and welcomed in the summer. A beautiful day the students had a lot of fun!!

"I enjoyed serving more than 300 people. I have never done this before and I wouldn't mind doing it again. The crowd was very large and I feel without my assistance this day would have been very chaotic. Handing out food, greeting everyone was a little difficult because I'm not a very social person but I enjoyed it and I would love to do it again!"-Chef David

"Today was a lot of fun. I would do this again sometime. I liked hor everyone worked together as a group. I think if we weren't here it wouldn't have gone smoothly. I also think that we helped take some of the stress of the other guys"-Chef Dexter

"Today was a great day. I helped prepare pork which was amazing. After we were done we got a chance to taste every dish at the event. I did this last year at the end of the summer, and it was bigger but this year they had more foods and desserts!!"-Chef Marielis

"This even was really fun, getting to taste the different food and meeting other chef's even with the heat was very enjoyable"-Chef Ayerine

Lets Make Some Salsa!!

During the summer of 2011, three highschools have taken growing ingredients in thier school gardens to support BK Salsa, a company that proudly uses sustainable and conscious methods for their line of salsa flavors. As a TBC supporter, they are teaching students about local foods, conscious methods and ways to incorporate healthy ingredients in tasty dishes. In the fall students will come together to create their own salsa competing for the chance to gain a special edition spot within the BK Salsa line. http://www.bksalsa.com/ 

"It was interesting learning about different salsa's" - Chef Akaysia

 " It was amazing to taste your sauces and prepare some new ones with you" -Chef Lester

" I think its an awesome thing what you guys do by finding new ways to make what we eat healthier and better and I love that you guys take the time to think about it"- Chef Raymi

" I really like that I got to learn how to make salsa. COOL!!" -Chef Dexter

"Awesome!"-Chef Giovanni