Little Chefs, Big Change

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Knoxville, TN
Little Chefs, Big Change

We get kids excited about food that's good for both people and the planet. We also work with schools to add healthy, plant-centric meals to their menus.

Our mission is get kids excited about food that’s good for both people and the planet. We bring fun, informative, and hands-on programs to schools, camps, and communities to engage kids and their families in healthy cooking and we teach plant-centric, affordable recipes that kids like. Through these programs, kids and families receive the cooking skills and resources they need to confidently adopt healthy eating habits.

09/30/2026

Recipe Share: Veggie Lo Mein
This delightful entree was a big hit in our classes last week, and we can see why! Packed with flavor (and veggies), it's an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser that is perfect for busy weeknights!

09/29/2026

This week, we are meeting Gracie Wells, one of our Lead Cooking Instructors and Program Support people!
Gracie first joined Little Chefs, Big Change as a volunteer and quickly felt inspired to grow with the organization. She is passionate about healthy, plant-forward cooking and previously gained experience preparing plant-focused meals at Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center. As a Campbell County native, Gracie is especially excited to bring hands-on cooking classes to kids in her own community! She loves helping students gain confidence in the kitchen, try new foods, and discover the magic of cooking.

09/24/2026

This fall has kept us busy as we have picked up classes across Knox and Campbell counties! We are so excited to be up and running and are so grateful for the opportunity to work with these students, watching them grow and learn new skills!

09/23/2026

This week, we are meeting our Founder and Executive Director Sarah Wharton!

Sarah has always loved cooking, teaching, and helping the planet, and she combined all three when she founded Little Chefs, Big Change. With a masters from Cornell and years of experience managing after-school cooking programs, Sarah knows how to make healthy eating fun and accessible for kids. Sarah started teaching cooking classes in 2015, inspiring students and families to try new foods and make veggies taste delicious. Over the years, Sarah has compiled many kid-approved recipes and has developed the ability to teach kids how to cook pretty much anywhere- a school kitchen, a classroom, a cafeteria, outside…give her an electrical outlet and a group of kids, and dinner will be ready an hour later! At home, her favorite taste-testers are her kids Emory and Simon and her partner Tom.

09/16/2026

This week we are meeting one of our Lead Cooking Instructors and Program Support extraordinaire Tina Hawrys!
As a cooking instructor, Tina brings together her deep love for cooking and teaching others how to make healthier food choices. Tina has over 20 years of experience in the food industry and is a natural educator who creates joyful, hands-on experiences that inspire kids to explore new foods and build lifelong healthy habits. She also serves as Kitchen Manager at Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center, where she develops and cooks creative, plant-based menus for large groups.
Whether guiding a child through their first time chopping a carrot or helping them discover a love for quinoa, Tina approaches every class with warmth, patience, and an infectious enthusiasm for good food.

09/08/2026

This week, we are meeting our newest member, Matthew Blondell!
Matthew is a third-generation Knoxvillian who loves to feed people and demonstrate that plant-based cooking can be simple, fun, and, most importantly, delicious. A member of the Vegetarian Society of East Tennessee, he has conducted multiple cooking demonstrations for the community. Matthew brings years of experience in food service and community outreach, including roles as director at a local catering company and Events Coordinator for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. Deeply committed to local service, he understands how vital it is to bring good food and nutrition to our neighborhoods. He also serves as an admin for Knox Vegans, cooks for retreats, caters small events, and loves introducing people to plant-based flavors from around the world.
He lives by his mantra, "Food is love, y'all."

09/01/2026

This week, we are meeting our Community Programs Manager Tovah Greenwood!
A strong believer that healthy habits begin early in life, Tovah brings more than 11 years of experience as a Montessori educator, along with her roles as a mother, seasoned cook, and healthy-food enthusiast. She is passionate about helping children—and adults—expand their palates and discover the joy of trying new, nutritious foods. Her guiding motto is, “When you try new things, your world gets bigger.” Tovah has also served on the boards of three local nonprofits and is deeply familiar with the nonprofit landscape.

08/28/2026

Did you know that certain foods can give you superpowers? From boosting your energy levels to enhancing your cognitive function, your diet can help unlock your body's full potential!
For example, beans are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with fiber and protein to keep your heart and stomach healthy and strong!
Onions are also a superfood, rich in B-vitamins that rev up your metabolism to turn food into energy!
By incorporating these superfoods into your diet, you can start feeling like a superhero!

08/26/2026

This week, we are meeting our wonderful Volunteer Coordinator Taylor!

Taylor has always loved cooking and sharing new skills with young learners, and she brings that enthusiasm to every corner of Little Chefs, Big Change.

As Volunteer Coordinator, Taylor is the go-to guide for all things volunteers—organizing classes, sharing resources, and making sure everyone feels supported and ready to jump into the fun. She keeps the volunteer community connected, informed, and excited to help kids explore the world of healthy cooking.

08/24/2026

Bringing your children into the meal prep process is one of the easiest ways to get them excited about wholesome, healthy foods.

Quick Tips for Success:

1. Take your healthy cooking to the next level with a food processor!
2. Smoothies are universally loved in our cooking classes and you can't make one without a high-speed blender!
3. Read the entire recipe before you begin cooking. Especially when working with kids, gathering your ingredients and tools first helps everything go more smoothly and keeps cooking from feeling rushed or hectic.

Save this post for your next weekend meal prep session! 📌

Address

Knoxville, TN

Telephone

+18652269747

Website

http://www.littlechefsbigchange.org/

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