Ann Wiard, owner of Taste Buds Kitchen (TBK) in East Greenwich, Rhode Island is all about having fun with people from ages 2 to 99 as they make delicious food and learn a valuable life skill.  People enjoy her cooking classes, celebrations (such as birthdays, showers, bachelorette parties, anniversaries and reunions) and corporate events.

Some of Ann’s favorite events included a:

Chef’s challenge as part of a corporate meeting in which teams competed to make the best Handmade Ravioli.

Birthday cooking and dance party for 6- and 7-year-old children which made Pizza and Unicorn Cupcakes.

A sushi party for adults.

Originally from Ohio, Ann spent a year in AmeriCorps in the DC area prior to moving to Rhode Island to manage a soup kitchen in Bristol, RI.  While managing the kitchen she earned her MBA at Providence College. After earning her MBA she chose combine her degree with her love of working with children, adults and cooking.  Purchasing a TBK franchise provided her with the opportunity to get started working with children and adults almost immediately, rather than needing to spend excessive amounts of time organizing the business.

Ann offers the following recommendations:

Parents (and spouses) of picky eaters:

Have the picky eaters find a new vegetable at the grocery store.  Once you return home have them help you  prepare it.   

If the picky eaters don’t like something ask them why.  Was it the texture, the smell, the color, the sweetness or the spiciness?

Be sure to offer positive reinforcement and thank them for trying something new.   Ann reports that after she uses positive reinforcement in her cooking classes parents have said “I can’t believe you got my kid to eat butternut squash.  They even ask for it at home now.”

Try to get one picky eater (in a group) to try something new.  If they like it others will follow. 

When planning events don’t overthink the details.  Don’t stress out over the small details.  Focus on having fun. 

Do things together as a family.  Experiences may    provide better opportunities than buying gifts to create lifelong memories.

Please check out Ann’s website at https://tastebudskitchen.com/east-greenwich/.  For further information and recommendations please contact Ann by email (eastgreenwich@tastebudskitchen.com) or by telephone (401.885.0535).  Ann will be pleased to speak with you about food, cooking classes and special events.

I would like to thank Industrial Consultant Dr. Margarita Posada Cossuto for helpful comments.