Vera Oye’ Yaa-Anna — affectionately known as Auntie Oye’ — is a Liberian-born culinary storyteller, dancer, and nutrition educator. She learned to appreciate good food early on, when she was only 5 years old, thanks to her mother, and is a firm believer in the importance of establishing healthy eating habits at an early age. Her hands-on cooking workshops empower young student chefs to turn their food experiences into great culinary stories while they learn the value of healthy eating habits.
In addition to her independent food educator work, Auntie Oye’ works with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health in the SNAP-Ed program, as a Nutrition Educator. She works with over 500 children monthly in 15 DCPS classrooms and 4 daycare centers.
She will be bringing along aprons and gloves for any interested “tiny chefs” to help out at her cooking demonstration at the Columbia Heights farmers market this weekend. From 10am until noon, she will be working with student assistant chefs to prepare and share a seasonal fruit salad. Stop by, taste, help, share your food stories, and celebrate!
