Local youth will have the chance to mix creativity with science at the upcoming Food Fusion Workshops, hosted by Washington County 4-H as part of the Project Roadshow series. These hands-on programs are designed to spark curiosity and culinary skills through a unique blend of cooking, food science, and decorating.
The workshops will take place on Saturday, January 19, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Washington County Extension Education Center in Nashville. Youth ages 8 and older (as of September 1, 2025) are invited to participate in one or more sessions throughout the day.
Participants can:
- Cook a simple, delicious recipe from a 4-H project manual.
- Experiment with food science to uncover the chemistry behind everyday ingredients.
- Decorate and transform ordinary foods into edible works of art.
“This program is all about discovery,” said 4-H Coordinator Amanda Fox-Clark. “Kids will not only learn practical kitchen skills but also understand the science that makes cooking possible. Plus, they’ll have fun expressing their creativity.”
The Food Fusion Workshops are part of 4-H’s mission to provide hands-on learning experiences that build life skills and confidence. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.
Registration deadline is January 14. Sign up online at go.illinois.edu/4-H_Road_Show_Cooking.
For more information, contact the Washington County Extension office at 618-327-8881.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.