March 5, 2008 – Elementary students are used to eating school lunches. However, it’s usually the food service staff that prepares the meals.

That changed late last week, as a group of sixth-graders from Blue Creek Elementary School learned to create their own delicious and healthy treats from a seasoned professional. Carmine Sprio, chef/owner of Carmine’s Restaurant and host of the new reality TV show, Carmine’s, and his television crew stopped by the school’s cafeteria to videotape an episode on nutritious snacks.

James, a sixth-grader whose parents are friends with the chef, invited Sprio to visit the school. “I knew he needed a lot more material because his show is on every day, five days a week,” he said,

On the menu: Nutella and berry sandwiches and homemade granola.

Most of the students had never tried Nutella before.

“Sometimes looks are deceiving,” said Sprio. He encouraged the students to take a “no, thank you bite,” when offered something they may not care for and try it anyway. 

Before explaining the nutritional benefits of Nutella and its difference from peanut butter, the students tried the hazelnut-based sweet spread created by the Italian company Ferrero.

“It tastes like chocolate,” said Jordan.

After taste-testing the product, students were given two slices of French toast bread, berries and the Nutella to make their own sandwiches.

“Everyone has their own special way of making sandwiches,” Sprio said, explaining that students could add more or less of the sandwich filling depending on their preference or cut the crust off the bread, etc. “Make your sandwiches the way you like to make them.”

After a short break, students learned to make homemade granola by mixing a variety of ingredients, including chocolate chips, raisins, dried cherries, pineapples and cranberries, as well as homemade caramel syrup.

“They’re healthy and taste good,” said Catherine, who agreed with her schoolmates that she would make the recipes at home with her family.

“Things can taste good even though they’re healthy,” said Matt.

“I thought the granola was an excellent idea and it’s an easy recipe they can make at home,” said North Colonie Food Services Director Melodie Marco. “It was a great teaching tool that will help them with their eating habits at home.”

During his visit, Sprio also spoke about the benefits of eating healthy—especially not skipping breakfast—and the importance of reading nutritional labels.

Tune in to Carmine’s, on Thursday, March 6, to watch the Blue Creek students in action. Carmine’s airs weekdays at 8 a.m. on Fox 23 and is rebroadcast each weekday evening at 8 p.m. on Time Warner Cable digital channel 423.