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Yvette had the idea of creating the Handstand Kids on a very long flight back from India. She wanted to bring back cookbooks for her little cousins, but was discouraged when unable to find any for children. Upon her return to the US, she began brainstorming on how to introduce children to international foods in a fun and hands-on way. The Handstand Kids books are the perfect recipe for kids to learn how to cook, while learning about the people, places, and language of a new country. It is Yvette’s hope that children will be inspired to use their new cooking skills to give back to their own communities.
Yvette is a recent law school graduate who has a strong interest in international children's rights. She has worked with various non-profit organizations and the Department of Justice, Children's Rights Section.
Yvette's favorite food from the Mexican cookbook is the Enchiladas! She loves making it for her friends and family.
Contact Yvette at: yvette@handstandkids.com
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Before she learned to write, Kim would dictate stories to her (very patient) mom and draw the illustrations in crayon. As she got older, Kim and a friend would spend long summer days writing and illustrating their own stories. Kim is still writing and illustrating and is very excited to help bring Handstand Kids to life!
Kim currently lives in NYC and works as a producer for a children's website. She is developing several of her own children's books – which she is writing & illustrating- as well as a children's book series. Kim loves to travel and has journeyed throughout Western & Eastern Europe, Kenya, Tanzania, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and Thailand, where she filmed a documentary and took a Thai cooking class.
Kim attended UCLA for her undergraduate & graduate studies and has a BA in Communications & an MFA in Film Directing.
Kim's favorite recipes from the Mexican cookbook are the Mexican wedding cookies (there's always room for dessert!) and the guacamole, which she finds completely addicting.
Contact Kim at: kim@handstandkids.com and learn more about her projects at www.kimderose.com.
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Liza loves cooking and, even more, eating good food! While living in Italy, Liza explored traditional Italian cuisine by taking cooking classes and going on gastronomic tours. Liza loves sharing her cooking skills with kids of all ages and challenging them to try new foods.
Liza’s philosophy for life stems from trees; recognizing the importance of her roots while branching out and discovering new ideas. Her branches of interest include cooking (of course), woodworking, healing arts, knitting, and dancing. She currently works as a museum exhibit fabricator making displays and even fake trees. She has taught both the Italian language and cooking.
Liza’s favorite food from the Italian cookbooks is lasagna because she loves to make it for her entire family, including her 12 wonderful cousins, at Sunday dinner.
Contact Liza at: liza@handstandkids.com
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Vani Sodhi Gundara; a local Los Angeles designer has been "creating" since her early childhood years. It all began with a crayon striking the walls of her parent's home at the age of 2.
Fortunately for Vani, her parents embraced the signs early on to encourage the artistic, wild-side in her and helped by developing her keen sense of unusual color, form and modern creative development. After attending UCLA's school of Arts and Architecture, she opened her own design firm; Design By Vani.
Design by Vani blends her flare for the unique with cutting edge technology. Vani has worked with several companies providing stylistic graphic design solutions including: Westfield Corporation, Subway and Boeing.
Vani's favorite food from the Italian cookbooks is the Italian Soda because she loves to make it during hot summer nights to accompany her barbque parties for her family and friends. Refreshing and delicious!
Contact Vani at: info@designbyvani.com
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Cricket Azima is a dynamic professional chef who specializes in cooking for and with children. Since 1999, she has been teaching cooking classes to over 1000 children of all ages at various locations in New York City. In addition to teaching, she serves as the Food Editor for Kiwi magazine. Cricket is also Director of Kids’ Programs for Kidfresh and the Director of Culinary Development for Batter Up Kids Culinary Center. Cricket’s upcoming book, Everybody Eats Lunch, is published this March.
Cricket received her Master’s degree in Food Studies and Food Management at New York University. Her thesis, entitled “Children’s Cooking Classes: An Alternative Method to Enhance Learning” led her to launch The Creative Kitchen™, a method of cooking instruction and food education designed to inspire children to express themselves creatively in the kitchen, while reinforcing traditional education disciplines.
Cricket is a graduate of Boston University and Peter Kump’s New York Culinary School (now The Institute of Culinary Education). She served as professor of Food Studies and academic advisor at NYU following graduation, and has developed curricula for various schools and after-school programs.
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Avital Binshtock is an author and editor who regularly contributes to media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, where she was an associate editor. She is currently an editor at Potentia Media
( www.potentiamedia.com) and at Frommer's. She wrote a book called Napa and Sonoma Day by Day ( www.amazon.com/Frommers-Napa-Sonoma-Day/dp/0470050217 ) and was the chief editor for Frommer's most recent edition of Amsterdam. She has also done work for National Geographic Television and Elite Traveler , among a number of others.
Avital writes and edits most often about travel and food, but if a good story comes along, is willing to cover most anything. Foremost among Avital's passions are global travel and exploring different cultures. She has taught reading and creative writing to children, and always enjoys spending time with the younger members of her family. Avital was educated at UCLA and Stanford University.
Avital's favorite recipe from the Italian cookbook is the eggplant dish. It reminds her of the Mediterranean cuisine that she grew up on.
Contact Avital at: avital@gmail.com |
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