Molecular Gastronomy For School Lunch: Kass and Andrés Teach The Science of Food

Food and nutrition as a critical part of the science curriculum, too
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, White House Food Initiative Coordinator Sam Kass and superstar chef José Andrés visited Walker-Jones Education Campus in Washington, DC, on October 16 to celebrate National School Lunch Week.

The trio was joined by Mrs. Karen Duncan, the wife of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and gave the school kids some fun lessons in molecular gastronomy, or as it's more simply known, food science. The lesson was a good way of teaching nutrition, and making it fun. (Above: Kass and Andrés, food scientists)

In the school cafeteria, Kass and Andrés showed the kids how common foods can be altered into completely different substances through interactions with oxygen.

Andrés whipped carrot juice into a frothy cloud using an electric mixer and served the new concoction to the kids with mini carrot sticks. Andrés and Kass then explored how air turns sliced apples brown, yet also allows bakers to make bread from the ingredients in dough. Perhaps the favorite demonstration of the day involved the transformation of milk into natural whipping cream, which was served to the children with fresh raspberries. (Above: Andrés whips up food science theory while Kass looks on)

Of course a healthy lunch was part of the visit: The chefs, Dep. Sec. Merrigan, and Mrs. Duncan joined the kids to eat veggie pizza, fruit and milk after the demos.

Andrés has been a guest chef at the White House, and Dep. Sec. Merrigan has spent a lot of time with Kass lately, promoting nutrition and wellness programs. In September, Merrigan and Kass cooked together at the USDA cafeteria, creating a healthy lunch that was served to federal employees and the public as part of the roll-out for USDA's new Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative.

Kass's Team Good Lunch, which includes Mrs. Duncan and others from the Education Department and the Agriculture Department, has been visiting local schools lately to investigate their programs. The visit to Walker-Jones was also part of the Department of Education’s “Fueled and Fit” campaign. National School Lunch Week ran this year from October 12-19, and there was much focus on healthier food sourcing. (Above: Kass joins the kids for lunch)

*Photos from the Education Department.