Celebrate the most delicious season by giving the gift of curiosity, courage and compassion.
Kalamata and her stuffed pal Al Dente are on a mission to learn about cultures through adventures with food. They help kids learn to keep their minds open and their forks ready. And everyone is welcome at our table, so pull up a chair and dig into Kalamata's Kitchen.
The Taste Bud Pledge
"I promise to keep my mind open and my fork ready, to try each new food at least two times and share what's on my plate when someone doesn't have enough."
Taste Bud Pledge (1:26)
Meet Our Ambassadors
Our Mind Open, Fork Ready Ambassadors are on a mission to spread the message of the Taste Bud Pledge, showing us all how to be more curious, courageous and compassionate.
“It's going to create a generation of young people who will have an appreciation for the planet, for the bounty of what we can find, for good food and for interacting with people.” –Chef Eric Ripert, Le Bernardin
“...a sweet new book featuring young heroine Kalamata and her reptile pal Al Dente.”
“...keep your mind open and your fork ready. Pretty soon your kids might be clamoring for beet juice or okonomiyaki, and all because of a little brown girl and her alligator pal.”
“A food adventure your children will love.”
“These stories celebrate the act of trying new things and experiencing different cultures, which is so important for young readers, especially today.”