Teen Iron Chef

Last week I ran one of the best programs that I’ve ever done, at least in my opinion. And I took pictures, so you get to see all of it’s glory.

The program was ‘Teen Iron Chef’ which I had heard about but was nervous about actually presenting. It sounded like a lot of work: buying enough food and ingredients, making sure that I could get registrations, worrying about food allergies, worrying about mess. I worry about a lot of things. But I read posts about the program on two lovely blogs, Green Bean Teen Queen and Creative Library Programs, and decided to give it a whirl.

I took the suggestions of both bloggers and combined them to fit my library and my patrons. I decided the teens would work in teams, have 30 minutes to create a dessert and snack, and be judged on creativity, presentation, and taste using Creative Library Program’s score sheet (thank you!!). My shopping list was as follows:

• chocolate chips
• marshmallows
• gel icing
• candy corn
• Swedish fish (store brand, obviously…)
• sprinkles
• candy hearts
• Pocky
• bananas
• apples
• grapes
• nutella
• tortillas
• cheese
• crackers
• Cheeze-Its (store brand again because I’m a cheapie)

I spent about $30 for the food but there was hardly any left by the end!  I assembled it all in our program room and set up plates and supplies for the teens. I brought in cutting boards and a few sharp knives (the rule was the knives had to stay on the cutting board and not be taken around the room, so as not to stab anyone). I also had toothpicks, cupcake papers, plates, napkins, silverware, and some cute gelato bowls to use for assembly and display.

For the winning team, I purchased these hilarious ice cube trays that make bacon-shaped ice cubes because . . . because . . . well, because they make bacon-shaped ice cubes. And they were $1 each at that magical source of stupid prizes: the Target Dollar Spot.

I had the teens get into pairs, pick team names, and then get their ingredients. I left them get as much stuff as they wanted and had them get more during the assembly if they needed it. I wasn’t about to be super annoying about it, and I wanted them have fun. (I’m kind of a programming push-over: I basically let them do whatever.) After 30 minutes, each of the teams presented their snack and dessert to Amy, a willing Children’s librarian, and myself. Take a look!

I had a great time and while with 10 people it wasn’t the best attended program I’ve ever had (both my Hunger Games parties had 25-30 people which is a HUGE amount for me), it was definitely one of the most fun. The teens were so much more creative than I would have been and they worked really hard. It’s a little bit of work to set up but really worth it. Luckily, none of my teens had any food allergies so that made it easier. If I did it in the future, I would make sure to have another ‘glue’ instead of Nutella in case of nut allergies.

It’s programs like this that make me feel a bit better about programming. I’ll admit it’s not my favorite part of the job because I get so stressed about whether or not people will show up. Or that I don’t have enough things planned to do; I’ve found that my patrons like a plan or a structure to the programs. Too much freedom and they get nervous! For the summer, I do have some great programs planned that I hope will go well: a henna program, a visiting ghost hunter, a ‘CSI’ program with a former MA state detective, a scavenger hunt, making time capsules, tie dye, a pottery demonstration and hands-on program with the Children’s department, making garden mosaics stepping stones, a City of Bones program to coincide with the movie release, and a few more things I can’t remember. It’s going to be a great summer!