The Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada has been the setting for a culinary initiative aimed at young inpatients. A cooking workshop, part of the Artcua (Andalusian Culinary Art) project, sought to promote health through tasty and nutritious dishes, adapted to be appealing and fun for children.

The Artcua project, spearheaded by a renowned chef, has as its main goal to promote healthy eating both within the hospital environment and among the general population. Its philosophy focuses on revaluing Andalusian culinary heritage, using local produce, and preserving traditional cuisine.

Restaurant professionals gathered in the play and educational room on the eighth floor of the Materno Infantil, where about twenty children participated in this recreational and educational activity. Among the participants, a well-known chef from Andalusian television taught the children to prepare banana-filled crepes with custard, chocolate syrup, powdered sugar, red berries, and artisanal cocoa cream with hazelnuts and extra virgin olive oil.

Other chefs also contributed their creations. An Almerian chef surprised with granolas made from seasonal organic fruits such as loquats, strawberries, blueberries, pears, and mango, complemented with nuts, honey, natural yogurt, and chocolate shavings. Another chef opted for cream-filled profiteroles with chocolate, while the project's founder presented choco-cream muffins with toppings and whipped cream.

The Hospital Food Service also made its contribution with an exquisite dish called 'Health in a bite', prepared by the hospital's head chefs. This consisted of a chocolate bread toast with avocado, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, walnuts, and pomegranate honey.

At the end of the workshop, participants received a booklet with all the recipes they had learned, so they can replicate them at home once discharged from the hospital. This culinary activity marks the beginning of a program of events organized by the Citizen Participation and Pediatrics units to commemorate Hospitalized Children's Day, which is celebrated next Wednesday, May 13. The celebrations will include an interactive workshop on The Alhambra, a concert, cinema sessions, and visits from members of Civil Protection, Firefighters, and Falconatura, as well as a badge-making workshop on children's rights.