Interview with Jenny Dirksen of Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry, Pan-fried Basil Potatoes, Watermelon Mint Shake Monday, May 18, 2015

12 year old Kid Chef Eliana grew up in a family of cooks. With grandparents from Cajun Louisiana, the Philippines, Cuba, and Honduras, Eliana’s recipes have international flair. She loves traveling and spending time in the kitchen with her family. Eliana says, “Cooking is so much fun. You can be creative and invent new recipes.” Eliana’s first cookbook, “Eliana Cooks! Recipes for Creative Kids” was released in October 2010. She is awaiting the publication of her second cookbook, “Cool Kids Cook: Louisiana.”

At ten years old, Kid Chef Eliana was chosen as one of 13 Latinos profiled in a museum exhibit at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. She is featured in a book called The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids by Dr. Jerry Cook and Sarah L. Cook. She has been a guest chef on Eyewitness Morning News on WWL-TV in New Orleans and has cooked with Celebrity Chef John Besh. She was a featured chef at the New Orleans Seafood Festival and the Louisiana Book Festival. She does numerous media appearances, cooking demonstrations, and book signings.

In the future, Eliana plans to design cookware for kids, create a line of spices, and host her own TV cooking show. She also wants to teach kids that good food is more than chicken nuggets and French fries. Her motto is, “Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!”