Trackside Turns Out Newly-Minted Teen Chefs

Wilton can soon welcome a cadre of newly minted chefs.

After spending a week cooking inside Trackside Teen Center's commercial kitchen, several Wilton students can turn out everything from wontons to chicken satay. The program, "Now You're Cookin'!" brought together Wilton Continuing Education and Trackside for the first time. It was also the first cooking class for teens only.

During one session eight middle school girls collaborated on dinner. At one table four girls sliced and chopped zucchini, cauliflower and mushrooms. At another table four girls mixed together ingredients to make personal-sized meatloaves in muffin tins.

"I help with my Mom some, but this class will definitely help," said Rachel Gordon, adding that she usually bakes.

Carol Leonetti Dannhauser taught the class, which incorporated the idea of healthful cooking and easily executed recipes. Dannhauser, a former journalist-turned-television-producer, started the website Cooking Teens and a teen cooking show for CPTV.

On Thursday a strawberry, watermelon, and feta cheese salad chilled in the refrigerator while an apple crisp baked in the oven. A bowl of tomato, basil, and other ingredients sat on the counter. The girls planned to use the savory mix for bruschetta.

At the start of the class there was a concern that a slightly lower registration would mean an under-stocked pantry. But Emily Dowden, Wilton Continuing Education's children's programs' supervisor, secured donations from both Ridgefield and Wilton Stop & Shop and the Wilton Village Market.

Many of the girls had fun bringing home the work for their family to sample.

"My mom ate everything," said Kimberly Ugarte. "I liked the wontons best because they were homemade."