The Kids Food Adventure with Chef Jehangir Mehta created to promote positive eating habits for children

Whole Foods Market, the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, and Chef Jehangir Mehta, "The Next Iron Chef" runner-up and executive chef/owner of Graffiti Food & Wine Bar in New York City, have joined forces to create The Kids Food Adventure with Chef Jehangir Mehta, a series of hands-on classes to encourage parents and children to be more adventurous with food while making healthy choices. Mehta kicks off the multi-city class tour in New York City at Whole Foods Market's 95 E. Houston Street location this Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to noon.

"Children can be intimidated by foods that are unfamiliar to them, which means they often won't try something they haven't seen before," said Mehta. "The Kids Food Adventure will give families fresh ideas to get children interested in trying new food concepts and flavors to make a long-lasting, positive impact on the way they eat. It's a high five for their palates!"

Chef Jehangir Mehta is known in the food world for his creative edge and daring, unorthodox choices that delight diners and culinary experts alike. When Jehangir was a young boy, his grandfather opened his eyes to the joys of good food and its health properties and he was determined to share this knowledge. Today, Jehangir's passion as a chef and father, as well as his long history of opening children's eyes to new foods, flavors and the appreciation of complex ingredients, has led him to join forces with Whole Foods Market to create this program.

Children and their parents will go on a "Journey with Jehangir," participating in interactive store tours, educational and creative cooking demos, and conversations designed to encourage healthy, adventurous cooking at home. The program is designed for children ages 6 to 11 and the space is limited. After the kick-off in New York City, which costs $30 per child accompanied by an adult, Mehta will take the show on the road with stops at Whole Foods Market locations in Austin, Boston, Denver, Los Angeles and New Orleans. Details and event dates will be posted online next week at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/kidsfoodaventure along with tips, recipes, shopping lists, blog postings and videos.

"We often observe in our stores that when children try new foods and flavors in a fun setting, they are more prone to add them to their list of favorites. With Chef Jehangir's creativity and enthusiasm, this program with its family-friendly classes and online tips aims to put kids and their parents on a path to explore all kinds of delicious and, importantly, nutritious foods," said Whole Foods Market spokesperson, Kate Lowery.

The Kids Food Adventure with Chef Jehangir Mehta is one of Whole Foods Market's efforts to help promote lifelong positive eating habits for children. Last fall, the company launched the "School Lunch Revolution," allowing its customers to help fund a program led by the "Renegade Lunch Lady," Chef Ann Cooper, who works to improve children's' healthy eating habits by transforming school lunch menus across the country.