Young chefs, healthy food market set for 'Healthy Eating Picnic' on Sunday

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold a "Youth Family Healthy Eating Picnic" at the outdoor stage and park recreation center at Seoul Forest on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is expected to complement the 2026 Seoul International Garden Expo, which runs through Oct. 27.

The festival invites young people to showcase dishes made with seasonal vegetables while letting visitors sample and enjoy healthy food.

The centerpiece program is a cooking competition called "Youth Healthy Table with a Chef," in which 10 young participants — selected through a prior recipe contest — will prepare dishes using seasonal vegetables on-site. A panel of professional chefs and citizen judges will evaluate the entries on taste and creativity, selecting three standout menus.

A healthy food market run by young vendors will also be available, featuring balanced-nutrition beverages, natural seasonings, vegan desserts and wellness products.

Interactive activities will let visitors assess their own eating habits — filling a shopping basket with food models to hit a target calorie count, or using oversized chopsticks to pick out healthy ingredients. Art stations using vegetables and fruits, photo opportunities, an opening ceremony and performances round out the program.

Any young person may join free of charge through advance or on-site registration. Jo Yeong-chang, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Citizen Health Bureau, said the event is "a place where young people can directly make, taste and enjoy food while experiencing healthy eating habits," adding that he hopes it "becomes a time for families to participate together and feel that healthy living can be part of everyday joy."