With so many COVID restrictions in place, enjoying things like fine dining and travel are difficult. Not to mention, those with little ones at home are running out of safe and fun activities. Well, there's a solution to all those problems. Culinary travel-focused activity kit eat2explore teaches children how to cook while learning about various cultures and cuisines worldwide. And they just launched a first-ever New York City-themed explorer box.
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Created in collaboration with Rethink Food, the kit celebrates some of the best of NYC's dining scene. It features recipes from three New York-based chefs, including Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park, Cedric Vongerichten of Wayan, and Natasha Pickowickz, formerly of Flora Bar & Altro Paradiso. Think pasta with peas and Pecorino Romano cheese from the three Michelin-starred restaurant and fruity tiramisu from the James Beard award-winning pastry chef.
The explore New York City box includes an inspired recipe from each chef, non-perishable essential ingredients (spice mixes, sauces), cooking instructions, paired with educational materials on NYC's history and culture through a culinary lens. And ordering one does even more good as 20% of proceeds will be donated in support of their mission to create a more equitable food system in America.
Founder and president Rowena Scherer came up with the idea at the beginning of the pandemic while doing a shift of packing up boxes at their warehouse. She listened to Guy Raz's "How I Built This" podcast with chef Daniel Humm, where he talked about New York City's restaurants and the challenging situation they're experiencing due to COVID.
"Being a New Yorker, and a big foodie whose passionate about food waste, the interview immediately sparked the idea of reaching out to Rethink and chef Humm to curate an explore New York City box," Scherer told Departures. "We wanted to showcase the diversity of the people, cuisines and cultures, and the rich history of NYC."
While the New York box is the newest offering, there are plenty of other options from which to choose. The company has themed boxes for over 20 international destinations like Spain, Brazil, India, Japan. You can choose from a monthly delivery or quarterly with each box, including daily lesson plans, recipes, activity sheets, and more.
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"Eat2explore's mission is to educate the next generation on the connectivity of food, culture, and the world we live in and help raise a more culturally sensitive next generation through food," said Scherer.
The boxes cost $24.95, and you get a discount if buying a subscription.
