Meet Waffles and Mochi

What do you get when you bring together a puppet that is part yeti and part frozen waffle and a puppet that is a strawberry ice cream mochi ball? You get Waffles and Mochi, best friends who star in a new TV series from Netflix. 

Waffles and Mochi, who are rescued from the Land of Frozen Food, dream of becoming chefs. The puppets have only eaten ice, so they’re eager to broaden their understanding of food and learn about fresh treats from around the world.

Their first stop is a supermarket, where they meet the owner, Michelle Obama, in her rooftop garden. Yes, the Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States. She introduces Waffles and Mochi to Busy Bee, her very worried assistant, and several entertaining supermarket employees.

Waffles and Mochi then travel around the world on “MagiCart,” a shopping cart that talks. They interview chefs in far-flung places and are introduced to new cultures, foods, and spices. The puppets learn about salt in Peru, for example, and rice in Japan. Mochi is actually made from rice!

Former First Lady Michelle Obama stars as a supermarket owner in a new Netflix show for kids. The series features Waffles (right), Mochi (center), and necktie-wearing Busy (left). 

FUN FOR PARENTS, TOO

On March 10, I spoke with Mrs. Obama, Waffles, and Mochi at a virtual press event. My younger sisters and I had enjoyed the series, but we were surprised to see our parents drawn in, too. I asked Mrs. Obama why she thinks Waffles + Mochi also appeals to an older audience.

“That’s one of the reasons I agreed to join in on this wonderful program,” Mrs. Obama said, ”When I met Waffles and Mochi, and I learned about the adventures they go on, I was hooked. Because you know what, as moms and dads, we want to watch TV with you, too.”

Mrs. Obama recalled spending time with her daughters, Malia and Sasha, when they were growing up. “I loved to be able to watch TV with them and laugh along,” the former First Lady said. “This show spoke to me, as well. Because it's not just for kids. It’s for adults who want to dream and learn about food and learn how to cook with great ingredients.” 

For Waffles, the fun lies in going “on the tastiest adventure of your life in a MagiCart.”

Zhoriél talks with Mrs. Obama at a virtual press event for Waffles + Mochi, a new Netflix series for kids.

FROM SANDWICHES TO VEGETABLES

The 10-episode series of Waffles + Mochi includes several educational components. In addition to learning about foods from around the world, young viewers can visit a restaurant where sign language is used as a form of communication. An episode about potatoes blasts off for Mars and shows that even potatoes can be a source of power. 

Mrs. Obama has encouraged kids to eat nutritious foods for more than a decade. In 2010, when her husband, Barack Obama, was President, she founded a program called “Let’s Move!” As part of the initiative, she planted a garden at the White House to show kids how to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.

At the press event, Mrs. Obama admitted that she didn’t love vegetables growing up. “I was a pretty picky eater,” she told a fellow reporter. “The only thing I liked to eat for breakfast until I went to college was peanut butter and jelly.”

With help from Waffles and Mochi, the former First Lady is now on a culinary adventure that you won’t want to miss! 

Mrs. Obama shows a student how to dig up sweet potatoes at a White House garden harvest in 2016, when she was First Lady of the United States.