The Junior League of Pasadena, Inc. (JLP) is hosting its fifth annual “Kids in the Kitchen” event on Saturday, April 20 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Children of all ages and their caretakers are invited to Madison Elementary School in Pasadena to learn about health, physical fitness and nutrition. Participants will learn how to prepare nutritious snacks with an exciting twist, and find out how to make fitness fun through engaging and creative activities. The event and all associated activities are free to the public.

Local area chef Richard Hanna will run an educational nutrition booth providing comparisons of healthy vs. non-healthy foods for children and their caretakers. Chef Hanna comes from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (CSCA) team after a four-year tenure as Executive sous chef and general manager of Sodexho Marriott Services. He is the former owner and operator of Right Way Foods, was private chef to the ambassador of the United Nations, and held the position of sous chef at Bistro Gardens Restaurants.

Chef Hanna currently runs Mission Bistro in Pasadena where his mission is to promote healthy eating.

In addition, there will be multiple stations where children will learn about making healthy choices in eating and will be able to create and taste healthy snack options. Children will also have the opportunity to try out and participate in different types of physical activities, such as yoga. Parents, family members and caregivers will be provided with educational information with ideas on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle at home.

Now in its fifth year in Pasadena, the “Kids in the Kitchen” program is an ongoing initiative of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. designed to address the growing epidemic of childhood obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle for young people.

To pre-register for the event and learn more about the Junior League of Pasadena’s “Kids in the Kitchen” initiative, visit www.MyJLP.com or call (626) 796-0244.

Madison Elementary School is located at 525 E. Ashtabula St. in Pasadena.