#188: Culinary Cultural Adventures for Kids with Sarah Thomas

Dr. Elana interviews Sarah Thomas, the co-founder and Chief Imaginator of Kalamata’s Kitchen. With the mission to create a new generation of curious and compassionate eaters, Kalamata’s Kitchen designs story books and food adventure activities so families can expose their kids to new cultures through food and play! Sarah is the author of Kalamata’s Kitchen’s children’s book series. She believes you can inspire healthy eating through the stories you read to your children. In this episode you will learn ideas for adding adventure to your kitchen and teaching your child about the world’s cultures while you’re at it!  Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook. Topics Discussed: How storytelling can help expand kid’s food choices How to add "food adventures" into your home right now How to eat out with kids and get them involved through the “Taste Bud Travel Guide” Tips to expose kids to new cuisines and tastes Tips how to engage kids in food adventures How does Kalamata's Kitchen become part of everyday life Show Notes: Buy 1 book, get one free on Kalamata Kitchen’s website with code WHOLEMAMAS Connect with Kalamata’s Kitchen on Instagram  Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate! Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood. After completing a Masters degree in Renaissance English literature at the University of Cambridge, Sarah Thomas moved back to her native western Pennsylvania to study medicine. Instead, a love of food, service and academia led her to start studying wine instead. She moved to New York City in 2014 to accept a sommelier position with Le Bernardin, a three-star Michelin restaurant helmed by Chef Eric Ripert. During her time at the restaurant, she earned her Advanced Sommelier diploma, and is currently a candidate for the Master Sommelier diploma. She was also featured in the third installment of the popular Somm films. Above all else, her time in the restaurant industry taught her the true value of hospitality and communication, and the ability for food and service to create lasting experiences and memories for others.  In 2018, she and Derek Wallace co-founded Kalamata’s Kitchen, a brand which introduces kids to the world and to new experiences through adventures with food. By centering a child’s experience of exploration around lovable characters like Kalamata and her stuffed alligator pal Al Dente, children are invited to be more curious, courageous, and compassionate people by understanding the world through food. Combining her passions for service, literature, food, and teaching children, Kalamata’s Kitchen is the true nexus of all of Sarah’s interests and goals. As co-founder and author, she will lead the partnership with Penguin Random House to release a new series of books, as well as with Imagine Entertainment for an animated series. Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.