Daughter's interest is Mom's inspiration
Just three years ago, Cherise Ragland was an average stay-at-home mom in Richton Park.
Then her youngest, Kierra, developed a strong interest in cooking.
(Brett Roseman/SouthtownStar)
(Brett Roseman/SouthtownStar)
"She used to give me recipes and send me to the store to get the ingredients," said Ragland, who today is president of USA Cooking Camps, a culinary program designed especially for kids. She is also poised to introduce a kids cooking show to the Chicago television area.
About a year ago, Ragland began organizing workshops at area park districts, hospitals and schools, putting local cooking experts at the front of the classrooms to instruct children on everything from food preparation to table etiquette.
"After my daughter started making gourmet meals, I realized this would be her career path," Ragland said.
She searched for kid-friendly cooking programs but could find few. Necessity being the mother of invention and Ragland being the mother of a wannabe chef, she formed USA Cooking Camps. So far, 700 kids have gone through the programs.
Programs are scheduled for Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills and Matteson this summer.
"Then, one day, my husband and I started talking - why not start a kids cooking TV show?" she said.
And "Junior Cuisine" was born. The plan calls for a different guest or celebrity chef to lead four children through a recipe. Along the way, the kids learn about kitchen safety and food sanitation. Sometimes, they visit local restaurants to get the answer to a pressing question.
Ragland said, though the paperwork is still in the throes of the legal process, Macy's is interested in being a sponsor. Ragland hopes to launch the show in the fall. She also hopes to feature local kids in the show.
"We really want this to be Chicago-based, to highlight kids from this area," she said.
Her oldest daughter, Alexis, wrote the theme song and her husband D-Shaun put together the video pilot show.
Summer cooking camps schedule
St. James Health & Wellness Center, Chicago Heights: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. June 9 to July 18.
Chicago Heights Summer Camp, June 25, July 10, July 17 and July 24.
Country Club Hills Recreation Center, June 19 and July 27
Mokena Park District, July 14 to 16.
For more information on these programs, or to schedule your own, contact USA Cooking Camps at www.usacookingcamps.com or (708) 351-3717.