Once Upon a Taste is a four-part workshop series that invites children to explore the stories, memories, and futures hidden in the food we eat. Led by storyteller Usha Chhabra, each session offers a different doorway into the world of taste and imagination—through art, storytelling, puppetry, and personal reflection.

Children will dream up fantastical foods of the future, preserve their favourite dishes in a “recipe vault,” bring ingredients to life through puppet theatre, and share their own food memories in a safe, playful space. Together, these experiences help children see food as more than what’s on their plate—as a bridge between people, time, and care. Designed for ages 8 –12 years, the workshops balance creativity and reflection, leaving each child with a handmade “Cookbook for Tomorrow” and a renewed curiosity about where their food—and its stories—come from.

Thoughtful, playful, and grounded in care, the series helps children see food as a bridge between people, place, and imagination.

Facilitator bio:
Usha Chhabra is a children’s educator and storyteller known for using narrative, puppetry, and play to open imaginative pathways into Indian culture and everyday life.