Wednesday, February 9, 1977
13
University Daily Kansan
al or
ers
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Children's chef can turn 'icky' dishes to delights
By JOANNE LOFLAND
Staff Reporte
Phil Minkin has to cook a lot to feed 34 children
Staff Reporter
This man fed 34 children prunes filled with peanut butter one day, and they asked for more. The day before he served liver and they loved it.
"Nothing fancy," said chef exordian,
"but he said "Basic home
work." You might call him.
The staff and children of Children's Hour-
headstart preschool in Lawrence call it
Since it is Phil Minkin's job to serve a snack and lunch five days a week to the two classrooms of three- and four-year-olds, 10 staff members and occasional volunteers that compose Children's Hour-Headstart, Minkin said he was glad they liked his
"I HAVE ALWAYS enjoyed cooking."
Minkin, said.
After receiving a degree in restaurant management from Michigan State University, he spent seven years managing a restaurant in Chicago, Los Angeles and Kansas City.
But his work with the Headstart program brings with them a greater sense of accomplishment, he said. "I feel like I'm doing some good for somebody rather than just working in the restaurant business to make money."
At Children's Hour-Headstart, Minkin's responsibilities extend beyond simply cooking and serving. Headstart's nutrition program is an important part of a larger scheme to involve the children and their parents in the educational process.
Each month a parent assistant is asked to join Minkin and Gretchen Gahagan, nutrition adviser to the program, for a menu planning session.
CHILDREN'S HOUR meals must meet standards for balanced nutrition set by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare as well as those of the Department of Agriculture because the program is federally funded.
Scrutinizing menu ideas for the right ratio of vitamins, minerals and protein to meet these standards is meant to be beneficial for the parents who help, according to Minkin.
Besides nutritional value, factors such as cost, color, "crunch," or texture, the time and equipment necessary for preparation are the skills required are all considered.
VARIETY IS another important element in cooking for preschoolers, according to Minkin. "We try to broaden their horizons with food they might not get at home," he said as he dished out ruhbarb cobler for dessert.
The meal planning, ordering and cooking are the obvious facets of Minkin's work. He
also has a responsibility to reinforce the teachers and help them work toward the goals of the school.
The preschool's program is aimed at preparing children for kindergarten, socially as well as educationally. Working and playing with other children and adults is underscored along with learning colors, numbers and letters, Minkin said.
Minkin's kitchen becomes an extension of the classroom when he invites helpers to wash vegetables and assist with other tasks. Helping out in the kitchen is considered a special treat by the children and Minkin takes the opportunity to impress them with the value of foods and the excitement of trying something new.
AWARENESS OF good health and hygiene is stressed. The children receive regular dental and medical checkups as part of the program.
After a field trip to a dairy farm, where the children had their first exposure to cows, they gathered in the kitchen for a meal from all the foods that come from dairy cows.
HOLIDAYS PROVIDE another opportunity to draw the family into the school experience. Minkin's most recent seasonal holiday event was the visit of children along with the staff and board
The effort to make Headstart a family program means finding solutions for individual problems, Minkin said. For example, a language tutor who has three children enrolled in Children's Hour-Headstart. She is an active volunteer in the classroom now and it is hoped that she will be the first of a full-time position as a teacher's aid.
members. In the spring, picnics are
children and their families, Minka aid.
But the school itself suits him, he said, for he is a low pressure person and he likes time off during the summer to tend his garden. He has been the school's cook for two years. For the past 4 years, Children's Hour-headstast has shared Jillife Hall with part of the radio television/film department at the School of Journalism, there is speculation that the department may take over the entire building next fall. Although these plans aren't definite, the preschool is looking for a new home, Minkin said.
Wherever the new home may be, the children will be assured that Phil Minkin will be there to serve up peanut-butter-filled prunes, liver, and even hot dogs, a favorite food of the children who eat at Minkin's table.
BRING YOUR OLDEST, SCROUNGIEST SHOES IN AND SAVE $2.50 ON THE PURCHASE OF A NEW PAIR.
THE WORST SHOES WILL WIN A $25.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE.
CONTEST ENDS FEBRUARY 19TH.
stomp out old shoes contest
919 Massachusetts Lawrence, Kansas Phone 841-2995 BankAmericard and Master Charge Welcome
kansas union BOOKSTORE
Receipts cashed on Lower Level of Bookstore at Textbook Dept. counter
REBATE
Attention Students:
Period 60-5% thru Dec. '77
Cash in Last Year's Union Bookstore Receipts beginning Wed., Feb. 9
Period 59----5% thru June,'77
Candidates for Student Body President and Vice-President
GREY-GREEN LEBEN-MUNYAN MCKERNAN-RHOADS
THURSDAY Feb.10th 7:30 P.M. Jayhawk Room, Kansas Union
To be broadcast on: KJHK
Paid for by Student Activity Fees