By Arya Dash, age 12
KidScoop Media Correspondent
Hey everyone, it’s Arya here! On May 4, I went to the Taste of the Nation event and it was amazing! Not only did I get to try out a bunch of yummy foods, but it was also a chance to help out with the No Kid Hungry program. Every dish there was super delicious and all the chefs were really friendly!
One dish I absolutely loved was the homey rice, beans, chicken sausage and cornbread from Dylan’s Soul Food. It was just perfect for the cloudy day we had.
Another standout was the scallop ceviche from Playa Provisions—it was super fresh and looked as great as it tasted. I also got to meet the owner, Chef Brooke Williamson, who was incredibly nice and even let us interview her. It was the same with Chef Shirley Chung and Chef Mary Sue Milliken; they were so welcoming and their food was fantastic.
Chef Shirley’s mochi donuts from Ms. Chi Cafe right here in Culver City was so sticky and sweet, and the shrimp from Socalo by Chef Mary Sue was bursting with fresh flavors, just like last year.
And I can’t forget the butter chicken from Arth Kitchen and Bar—so creamy and rich! It was another comforting dish that really made the day special. All these dishes were just a few of my favorites, but honestly, every bite was a treat and I ended the day super full and happy.
I also learned a lot from the chefs about why they support No Kid Hungry. For many, it’s about making sure no child goes hungry—because no kid should. Meeting Chef Brooke and Chef Shirley was extra cool for me because I’ve seen them on Top Chef and was rooting for them all the way!
It’s shocking to think that only 1 out of 5 kids gets a full meal each day. In 2022, 13 million children were hungry, and I am glad we all can help fix this problem by supporting No Kid Hungry, co-chaired by Chef Brooke Williamson and Chef Mei Lin from Daybird. Chef Brooke, as a mother and being in the food industry strongly believes that childhood hunger is a ‘solvable problem’.
Chef Mary Sue has been actively supporting this cause since the late 80s by volunteering, advocating, fundraising, and serving on the board of directors. Together with the other chefs involved, they do a fantastic job to bring attention to this important cause. It was great to see our local leaders, like Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, showing their support as well by their participation.
I wish there had been a bit more variety in the dishes since many chefs opted for cold dishes, but overall, the event was a fantastic experience.
Hearing the chefs’ unique stories and their reasons for joining No Kid Hungry was really inspiring. If you want to help or learn more, visit No Kid Hungry’s website. Every bit of awareness and support makes a difference.
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