Norwalk Kids in the Kitchen for a Cause

Written by Leslie Yager 
Several Norwalk restaurants, along with Nathan Hale middle schoolers and Norwalk High School culinary groups will set up at the individual kitchens at Aitoro's on Thursday night for "Taste for Education" fundraiser for the Norwalk Education Foundation which supports Norwalk public education. This year, for example, NEF is focusing on efforts to support teacher training around the Common Core State Standards.

Mr. White's 8th graders spent two days at Norwalk High School, which provided a preview of the school and glimpse at the opportunities at that school's culinary department. 

The culmination of the class is participating in the Taste of Education event.

But none of those details was on the minds of the middle schoolers on Wednesday. They clearly enjoy their time in the classroom-slash-kitchen, where they also benefit from having a school garden just outside.

According to Paula Palermo the first Norwalk public school to install a school garden was Brookside. "It started out as a NEF grant and a teacher at Brookside got it going. It's grown into its own operation. And it's nice the kids learn about the food cycle."

"We go in the garden and we've picked peppers, cilantro and celery," said Michael Hammer, one of White's 8th grade students. "It's fun. We've made quesadillas."

A group of boys listed highlights of their cooking projects after they completed their mushroom-washing task.

"My favorite was crepes," said Mike Laracca.

"And chocolate chip cookies said, Mubarak Soulemane. 

"And pizza with crust we made from scratch," said John Kruy. 

"We made arepas, which is Mexican," said Josh Richards, taking the time to spell out arepas.

According to Mr. White the group recently travelled to Norwalk High School so they could see how the culinary program works at that school, which most of them will attend next fall. 

In addition to the Nathan Hale and Norwalk High School Culinary Dept., Aitoro's venue has room to accommodate a great lineup of local restaurants, and each which will commandeer a cooking or tasting station:  
Bar Sugo
Bella Pasta
BJ Ryans/ BANC House
Cafe Madrid
Fountainhead Wines
Forever Sweet
Mama’s Boy
Saffron

Also, Ninety 9 Bottles and Drinx Unlimited will provide beer tastings. Solude Air Roasted Coffee will offer coffee samplings. 

"The event is so much fun," said Palermo, the board chair of NEF. "We've been doing the Taste about five years and it's such fun and the venue is perfect with its individual kitchens."

Palermo has been busy finalizing details for the fundraiser, along with the Executive Director of NEF, Gloria Tenofsky.

"We've been organizing the silent auction items, which include a vacation in Londonderry, Vermont, a signed Jets poster, Sound Tigers tickets and a Noel Spa certificate for $100," Palermo said.

The event runs from 6:00p.m. to 8:30p.m. A featured guest is the Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools, Manuel Rivera.

According to Palermo, tickets can be ordered online in advance for $45 or purchased at the door for $55. 

Aitoro is located at 401 Westport Ave in Norwalk. Tel. (203) 847-2471.

Tickets for the Taste for Education fundraiser can be purchased online (click on the Taste for Education logo.)  For more information, call (203) 854-4068 or email: info@norwalkeducation.org.