Teens from the Lion Haven after school program at the Mon Bijou Community Center spent two-hours Saturday learning to roll sushi…and then got to eat what they created. Around half of the students had never eaten sushi and most of them liked it.
Merrill Bryan, not only rolled a tight, perfectly round roll, but cut it with step-by-step instructions from Umami chef and owner, Ashley McKinnon. Bryan sliced each roll in half and half again, without losing the filling. Danielle Kearns, Umami chef, also helped the junior chefs fit rice, seafood, and veggies on sheets of paper-thin nori (seaweed).
Umami Sushi donated the class to the Lion Haven program which is directed by Justin Smith. Smith has worked as a middle and high school teacher and is currently a Boys and Girls Club volunteer. He has also had a career as a professional football player and retired after four years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Activities supported by Lion Haven include sports, gardening and farming, arts, class work help and pottery.
Editor’s note: Ashley McKinnon is the daughter of Source reporter, Susan Ellis.
