Food Network Star Esther Choi’s Genius Trick for Feeding Picky Eaters

It's all about being hands on (literally)

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Published Apr 22, 2025

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Chef Esther Choi tip for feeding picky eaters: Child's hand touching herbs

miniseries/Getty Images

As an acclaimed chef, restaurateur, Food Network star and mom of a 1-year-old, Esther Choi knows a few things about keeping her cool—both in and out of the kitchen. After all, one doesn't reach the finals of an Iron Chef competition by getting flustered when push comes to flame. So, I was hardly surprised to learn that she knows just how to deal with everything from sensitive teeth to picky little eaters.

I had a chance to chat with Choi, who has partnered with Listerine, at the recent launch event for the brand's Clinical Solutions Sensitive Teeth mouthwash, a formula that's been clinically proven to help reverse tooth sensitivity and provide relief for up to 24 hours with continual use. Needless to say, it's a must for chefs (and diners) who don't want tingling teeth to get in the way of their meals. "I've always had very sensitive teeth since I was little, and Korean food specifically is either very, very hot or very, very cold," Choi explains. "I always love it, but also my teeth are sensitive. So I've been using this product and I've been loving it." (Having munched my way through Choi's hot and cold bites at the event after swishing with the formula for a few weeks, I can attest to its effectiveness—bring on the sesame ice cream.)

Courtesy Listerine

When she's not keeping her teeth in tip-top shape, running one of her multiple NYC-based eateries or making her latest on-screen cooking show appearance, Choi can be found whipping something up in her own kitchen, her 1-year-old son by her side—the secret, she says, to getting him to try new foods. "I think that interacting with your kids in the kitchen is the number-one way to get them to eat whatever you're making," Choi says. "My son is still pretty young, but every time he's in the kitchen with me, he'll eat whatever I'm cooking...I'll give him [herbs] to smell and interact with...I think that the interaction with food is one of the most important parts of introducing them to the kitchen and to new flavors."

Choi also loves the idea of starting a small herb or vegetable garden with your littles to take the hands-on approach a step further: "Even if it's just a tiny pot, kids seeing it come to life from the ground and growing every day will get them excited about food."

Of course, the chef suggests starting small when it comes to piquing their curiosity—and taste buds. "When I'm introducing my son to new flavors, I'll start out small then continue to build it or [try it in] different dishes. So maybe he didn't like it in the rice but he'll like it in the pasta—things like that. I try to mix in a lot of different spices and lots of different ethnic cuisines so he becomes familiar at a young age. I'm very lucky that my son is a good eater, but when he starts getting picky, I'm prepared to use all my tricks to get him excited."

For a pain-free experience, whether you're eating with sensitive teeth or feeding picky palates, Chef Choi's tips are definitely worth bookmarking.

Stephanie Maida

Senior Commerce Editor

Oversees PureWow's coverage of sales and deals, celebrity commerce and new launches across categories
Has worked as a writer and editor for 10+ years
Studied journalism at New York University

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