Waffles + Mochi - Potato (S1E3)
With potato sales plummeting at the market, Waffles and Mochi take to the skies to learn about spuds and the delicious things you can do with them.
| Runtime (min) | 27 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2021-03-16 |
| Genres | Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | Netflix |
Storyline
When Mrs. O discovers that potato sales have dropped dramatically at the market, she sends Waffles and Mochi on a mission to learn why this versatile vegetable has fallen out of favor. The duo embarks on a global adventure to explore the many varieties and uses of potatoes, visiting farms and kitchens to understand what makes this humble tuber so special. Along the way, they meet farmers and chefs who share their knowledge about growing, harvesting, and preparing potatoes in different cultures.
Throughout their journey, Waffles and Mochi discover that potatoes can be transformed into countless delicious dishes, from crispy fries to fluffy mashed potatoes to innovative preparations they've never imagined. They learn hands-on cooking techniques and taste potatoes prepared in various styles. Armed with their newfound appreciation and knowledge, the friends return to the market determined to help customers see potatoes in a new light and reignite excitement for this incredibly adaptable ingredient.
What parents say
Parents have praised Waffles + Mochi for its educational approach to food and cooking, noting that the show successfully introduces children to diverse ingredients and global cuisines without feeling preachy. Many appreciate that the series, produced by Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions, emphasizes healthy eating and cultural exploration in an entertaining, age-appropriate format. The puppet characters and celebrity guest appearances keep young viewers engaged while delivering meaningful lessons about nutrition and cooking.
Parents have complimented the show's production values and the way it makes learning about food genuinely fun for preschool and early elementary-aged children. Some parents note that episodes like "Potato" inspire their kids to try new foods and even ask to help in the kitchen. The show's gentle humor and positive messaging about trying new things resonate well with families, and parents report that the content feels safe and enriching for independent viewing.
What kids learn
Children learn about the potato as a globally important food crop and discover that this single vegetable can be prepared in countless ways across different cultures. The episode teaches kids that potatoes grow underground and come in many varieties, each with unique characteristics suited to different cooking methods. Young viewers gain an appreciation for how the same ingredient can be transformed through various techniques, from baking and frying to mashing and roasting.
The episode encourages curiosity about where food comes from and how it travels from farm to table. Children see that learning about ingredients and trying new preparations can be an adventure, fostering openness to unfamiliar foods. The hands-on cooking demonstrations model age-appropriate kitchen skills and show that preparing food can be creative and enjoyable.
Beyond culinary lessons, kids learn about problem-solving and perseverance as Waffles and Mochi work to revive interest in potatoes at the market. The episode reinforces that understanding something more deeply—whether it's a food, a place, or an idea—can change how we value it, teaching children to look beyond first impressions and appreciate versatility and possibility.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Will this episode actually make my picky eater try potatoes? | The episode presents potatoes in many appealing forms and shows enthusiastic characters discovering different preparations, which can spark curiosity in reluctant eaters. While there's no guarantee, the playful exploration and variety of dishes featured may inspire children to be more open to tasting potatoes, especially if parents follow up by cooking one of the preparations shown together. The visual appeal and adventure framing often work better than direct pressure to try new foods. |
| Are the cooking techniques shown safe for young children to try? | The episode demonstrates various cooking methods, some of which involve heat and sharp tools that require adult supervision. Parents should watch alongside younger children and use the episode as a starting point for discussing kitchen safety. Age-appropriate tasks like washing potatoes, mashing with a masher, or helping measure ingredients can be extracted from what's shown, while techniques involving hot oil or ovens should remain adult responsibilities with children observing from a safe distance. |
| Does the episode teach anything beyond just cooking with potatoes? | Yes, the episode incorporates lessons about agriculture, global food cultures, and problem-solving. Children learn where potatoes come from, how they grow, and how different cultures prepare them. The storyline about reviving potato sales teaches persistence and creative thinking. The episode also touches on themes of appreciation, versatility, and looking at familiar things in new ways, extending the learning beyond the kitchen into broader life skills and cultural awareness. |
| Are there any scary or intense moments for sensitive preschoolers? | The episode maintains the show's gentle, encouraging tone throughout. The "problem" of low potato sales is presented as a puzzle to solve rather than a crisis, and the overall atmosphere remains upbeat and supportive. The flying sequences and travel elements are presented in a whimsical, clearly fantastical way that shouldn't frighten young viewers. Sensitive children should find the episode comforting and engaging rather than stressful or overwhelming. |
| What's the best way to extend the learning after watching this episode? | Consider visiting a farmers market or grocery store to look at different potato varieties together, letting your child choose one to prepare at home. Cooking a simple potato dish as a family reinforces the episode's lessons through hands-on experience. You might also explore a potato preparation from a culture different from your own, extending the episode's theme of global food diversity. Creating a simple chart of potato dishes your family enjoys can build vocabulary and categorization skills while celebrating this versatile vegetable. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? To find out, Waffles and Mochi try pasta with tomato "candy," yummy pizza and a cold soup called gazpacho. |
| 1 | 2 | Salt can make our taste buds sing — but too much of it on top of Mrs. O's favorite cookies is a terrible thing! Turns out a little bit goes a long way. |
| 1 | 3 | With potato sales plummeting at the market, Waffles and Mochi take to the skies to learn about spuds and the delicious things you can do with them. |
| 1 | 4 | Waffles dropped the store's last jar of pickles and needs to replace them... fast! But pickling is a process that, like all good things, takes time. |
| 1 | 5 | Waffles helps Mochi trace his family tree to find out where he came from, only to discover a surprising ancestor — rice — with a fascinating history. |
| 1 | 6 | Mrs. O sends Waffles and Mochi on an epic hunt around the world to find four different kinds of eggs for her friend, a famous chef. Time to get cracking! |
| 1 | 7 | Herbs and spices are flying off the shelves at the supermarket — but so is all the color! Can Waffles and Mochi fix it before Mrs. O finds out? |
| 1 | 8 | A cooking contest challenges Waffles and Mochi to make the tastiest corn dish they can. But to win, they'll need to do some serious research. |
| 1 | 9 | Waffles and Mochi face their fears on a mission to find more mushrooms for the store by talking to experts who are putting the "fun" in fungi. |
| 1 | 10 | A special dinner to say thank you to all the friends they've made sends Waffles and Mochi in search of water — the world's most important ingredient. |
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.