Tulsa's Westside YMCA Gives Kids Taste Of 'Iron Chef'

Rick Wells, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma --  A few of the kids attending the West Side YMCA Day Camp this week are participating in Iron Chef Camp.

They're learning about appetizers, main dishes and dessert.

First a little direction from the boss.  Jonathan Haring is Director of Culinary Services at the Food Bank.

"This is an actual production kitchen, and there are dangers," said Haring.

So be careful, he told them. They've been divided into three groups making cheese straws, garlic mashed potatoes and flat and chewy chocolate chip cookies.

Now in the interest of full disclosure, that's my son Matthew in the cheese straw group.

He was telling me about the camp, sounded like fun, and I figured others else might be interested too.  Most of these kids are fans of the cable TV cooking shows like Top Chef, Iron Chef, Ace of Cakes and all the rest.

That's Deuce he's working with Micah on cookies.  Amber and Rachel are making garlic mashed potatoes.  The cheese straw group is Matthew, Mason, and Cory.

This is the second summer for the special Iron Chef Camp.

Everyone tasted everyone else's creation.  The Garlic ,mashed potatoes were a hit, even with the counselors.

I love garlic mashed potatoes too, but in this instance it's hard to argue with the Deuce, who said dessert was the best part of the meal.

Especially when it's chocolate chip cookies.

So far, the Iron Chef Camp is a once a summer activity, but if there were more demand the folks at the Y said they could add more sessions next year.