The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Calling all Mini Chefs

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 New Fiddleheads Cooking Studio Ignites Culinary Curiosity For the Littlest Food Explorers

PHOTO COURTESY OF RENANA SHVIL

Fiddleheads Cooking Studio has been transforming children’s attitudes towards food through its unique approach to cooking education and kitchen science since 2016. With a mission of “growing the next generation of food explorers,” the studio is differentiated by a belief that children of all ages can be joyful participants in the kitchen. Having enjoyed success in Pound Ridge, Fiddleheads is moving to a new, expanded studio in Mount Kisco this March. The studio offers after-school programming, birthday parties, mini camps and private in-home instruction for both children and adults all in a rustic, remote farm-like setting.

With more than ten years of experience as a cooking instructor, owner Renana Shvil, explains her philosophy saying, “Talking with children about making healthier choices for meals and snacks should be a constant, engaging process. From getting acquainted to the bare ingredients to enjoying the finished product, each activity represents a learning opportunity.” Fiddleheads Cooking Studio is the result of that vision, born by melding Renana’s passion for food education with her background as a preschool instructor.

During lessons, Renana guides students through an exploration of healthy, delicious seasonal ingredients. Children discuss the items laid before them and are encouraged to touch, smell and taste everything. As they work together to create the dish, students learn how to use kitchen tools safely and they enjoy eating the final product as a community, sharing their thoughts about the meal’s flavor and texture.

To celebrate the launch of the new studio location, Fiddleheads will host a special series of $1 March classes leading up to the official launch of the Spring term in April. To learn more and view the full schedule, visit fiddleheadscookingstudio.com. Classes will be offered for children ages 18 months to 16 years. Family cooking classes and adult classes are also available.

Making a Move to the Big Apple? A Check List

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1. Some 18 months before your anticipated move, interview and choose your selling agent. He or she will be able to advise you on the value of your home in your market, suggest the best selling season and keep you apprised if and when changes occur. They’ll also make recommendations on putting your home in its best possible selling condition: pointing out where a coat of paint or a landscape refresh will punch up the curb appeal, or caution against spending renovation money you won’t recoup on your sale.

2. Research estate and/or tag sale managers. Depending on your style and the age and quality of your furniture, art objects, musical instruments, even cars, you may want to sell the things you can before you start tossing, recycling and donating. You’ll want several vendors to come to your home, appraise your items and give you an idea of their own style and record of success, how they would manage your sale, and an estimate of your net. Be sure to get a list of references and check them!   

3. Throw it out! No way are you taking all that suburban stuff with you. In all likelihood your place will be smaller and you just won’t have the storage. Be ruthless and if possible, start a year ahead of your move, throw it out, recycle it, give it away. When the moving van comes, you’ll be glad you did.  

4. Check out the neighborhoods you think you might like. Visit open houses to get a feel for what’s available in your price range, and stop in at stores and restaurants at different times of day, on different days of the week, and even in different seasons. The block you thought was sleepy and serene on an August Sunday afternoon could be hopping with tourists, skateboards or baby strollers on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Consider renting for a while if you’re not absolutely sure.

5. Assemble your buying team. Assuming you are buying, you will want to identify your buyer’s agent early for the same reason you choose your seller’s agent early. A good professional will want to get to know you–not just your wish-list, but who you are, how you will live, work and have fun in your new environment. That takes time…and a lot of questions.

The buying team should also provide you with market updates and info you really can’t easily find anywhere else–like tips on passing your coop board application, or which condos might be offering unadvertised discounts. In addition to decorators, contractors, movers and painters, they should also recommend other members of your team – lenders and, most important, attorneys.

Keep in mind: 90% of owned real estate in New York is cooperative and there is nothing more complicated and fraught with potential pitfalls than a coop purchase. Choosing a top notch real estate professional team–responsive, responsible and knowledgeable selling and buying agents; an eager and honest lender; and a savvy, diligent and cautious attorney–will have the greatest impact on making this move to a new home and a new chapter in your life stress-free, exciting and tremendously satisfying.

Robin Roy was a 12-year resident of Chappaqua. She now lives in midtown Manhattan and is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with The Corcoran Group.

Spotlight on Science in the Schools

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Regeneron Finalists & 5th Annual STEM Fest Showcases How Science Reigns Supreme

Kumar and Singh Named Regeneron Finalists

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Society for Science & the Public has named 40 finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The competition, known as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search from 1942-1997 and the Intel Science Talent Search from 1998-2016, is designed to engage and inspire the next generation of scientific leaders. Alumni have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, found successful companies and invent groundbreaking medical treatments.

Two Horace Greeley Seniors were selected for this prestigious recognition, Chirag Kumar and Aditi Singh. Chirag Kumar’s project is titled “A Machine Learning Approach to Estimating the Error in Satellite Sea Surface Temperature Measurements.” Aditi Singh’s research is titled “Descriptive and normative accounts of color localization performance in visual short-term memory.” Senior Anna Zhang was selected in earlier competition as a Science Talent Search Scholar for her work, “Design and Analysis of an Artificial Intelligence Based System for Real-Time Detection of Texting and Driving.”

Kumar and Singh will travel to Washington, D.C. from March 7-13, 2019, where they will undergo a scrupulous judging process and compete with the other finalists for more than $1.8 million in awards. They will also have the opportunity to interact with leading scientists, meet with members of Congress and display their projects to the public at the National Geographic Society on March 10.

Fifth Annual STEM Fest Engages Young Scientists

More than 250 Chappaqua School district students, from elementary school through high school, will showcase their work at the Fifth Annual Chappaqua STEM Fest on Saturday, March 23rd. The event is at Bell Middle School, 50 Senter Street, Chappaqua, NY, from 9 am to 1 pm. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Chappaqua STEM Fest will feature student designed experiments, inventions and research. In addition, local and national companies will run hands-on activities at the STEM Fest. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the fifth year of the Chappaqua STEM Fest,” said Lori Morton, Chair of the Chappaqua PTA STEM Committee. “The enthusiasm of our students is infectious. Their discoveries and inventions are brilliant and the event is packed with fun and informative STEM demonstrations and hands-on experiences!”

“This event is a terrific opportunity for our students to learn from, and teach, each other. Some students will wish to explore specific areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and others will be able to showcase a particular field of knowledge or skill related to those fields.  They will amaze, and be amazed by, one another and have a great time as well,” said Dr. Christina Ackerman, Superintendent of the Chappaqua Central School District.

A Note From New Castle Town Hall: The Pusheen Cats – Chappaqua’s First Lego League Champions

The Town Board was honored to welcome the Pusheen Cats. They are Chappaqua’s home team which won the overall championship at the 3rd Hudson Valley FLL (First Lego League) STEM championship held at the Bell School on January 19th. The Pusheen Cats developed an innovative habitat for human habitation on Mars. Their idea has won the praise of several NASA scientists! The team competed with 24 other teams at the Dutchess Community College on February 9th. Congrats to The Pusheen Cats!

Sweet Treats: Cause Life is Short…

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Eat dessert first. And because we are in our Sweet 16th year of publishing, the Inside Press had this novel idea to knock on a few doors to ask for different restaurant’s stand out ‘sweet treat’ recommendation. We’ll continue offering our sweet treat  recommendations throughout our 16th year.

Le Jardin

Profiteroles

Favorite b/c: It’s not too big and it’s not too small. What makes it special? The sauce is heavy cream with melted chocolate. The cream is melted and then added to the chocolate, then drizzled on top. Yes, heaven can wait.

Crabtree’s Kittle House

Kittle Krack Pie

Once you take a bite, you can’t stop till it’s gone. It’s decadent and hits the spot when you have a dessert craving. The Macadamia Nut Brittle is unique and adds a candy like topping.

Three, Elaborately Costumed Magi Distribute Gifts to Children at Three Kings Day Celebration

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 Sponsored by Northern Westchester Hospital’s Pediatrics Department and Neighbors Link

Mount Kisco, NY–In honor of Three Kings Day—aka the Feast of the Epiphany—when three wise men presented gifts to baby Jesus, three elaborately costumed Magi and their assistant distributed gifts to young children as parents and Dr. Peter Richel, Chief of Pediatrics at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), looked on. The event, a beloved, annual tradition sponsored by NWH’s Department of Pediatrics and Neighbors Link, supports both organizations’ commitment to serving the community and celebrates the cultural traditions of Westchester’s Latino residents.

Dr. Peter Richel “high fives” young girl at Northern Westchester Hospital Three Kings Day event
Young girl receives gift at Northern Westchester Hospital Three Kings Day event

About Northern Westchester Hospital:

Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook

About Northwell Health
Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, nearly 700 outpatient facilities and more than 13,600 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 68,000 employees – 16,000-plus nurses and 4,000 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu.