Health

Celebrity Chefs and Students Unite to Promote Food Education in an Epic Community Top Chef NYC Competition

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NEW YORK (PRWEB)

Promoting the importance of food education, students and renowned New York chefs came together in an exhilarating display of culinary talent at the Community Top Chef NYC competition on June 8th. The cooking competition was organized by Common Threads along with hosting sponsor Raymond James Financial, and paired four students from Frederick Douglass Academy in Brooklyn with celebrated chefs Anita Lo, Camari Mick, Edie Ugot, and Cosme Aguilar. They worked in the kitchen to create incredible dishes, with the winning culinary creation being Chana Masala. Common Threads’ healthy and kid-friendly recipes can be found here.

The event comes on the heels of NYC’s unveiling of a comprehensive nutrition roadmap that prioritizes food education in their public schools. Common Threads, a national nonprofit that supports food as medicine, inspires communities to embrace healthy cooking, healthy eating and the celebration of culture by providing children, families and educators with hands-on cooking and nutrition education classes. The program’s initiatives have been implemented in 72 schools in New York City, enriching the lives of 12,464 students through comprehensive nutrition education.

The four teams created top-notch dishes in lightning speed using fresh produce and quality ingredients. The event, which took place at Raymond James Financial’s headquarters on Park Ave, was emceed by TV host and actor Adam Richman. Judges included chefs Gail Simmons and Ayesha Nurdjaja who selected the winner based on taste, presentation, and overall creativity.

“The Community Top Chef NYC competition shines a spotlight on the unifying power of food,” said Linda Novick O’Keefe, Common Threads Co-Founder and CEO. “Every event we organize, every dish that is created, and every connection that is formed propels us towards a healthier, more inclusive world. We are profoundly grateful for the passion and commitment demonstrated by those who participated in and supported this event.”

The cook-off challenge resulted in Chef Camari Mick and student Sakera Mormon-Hall claiming the title of Common Threads Community Top Chef NYC. Attendees of the invite-only challenge enjoyed lite bites and refreshments.

“It was exciting to cook alongside world-famous chefs and to see how they work in action. The competition also teaches us about different ingredients and making healthy eating decisions,” said student Kaylee Gomez-Lopez.

Approximately 74% of NYC public school students come from families living at or below the poverty line, struggling for access to wholesome foods or able to use healthy cooking habits. Common Threads has partnered with NYC public schools for eight years and has taught over 65,000 students in their elementary and middle schools, teaching hands-on cooking and snack-making, the basics of nutrition, and the importance of making nutritious choices in and after-school.

Notable participant chefs included:

  • Chef Anita Lo, Culinary Host of Tour De Forks

  • Chef Camari Mick, Executive Pastry Chef at The Musket Room

  • Chef Edie Ugot, Co-founder and Culinary Director of Sidney’s Five

  • Chef Cosme Aguilar, Executive Chef at Casa Enrique

  • Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja, Executive Chef and Partner at Shukette NYC & Shuka NYC

  • Chef Gail Simmons, Culinary expert, food writer, and Bravo’s Top Chef Judge

“The Common Threads program is a beacon of light when it comes to teaching students and the community about the power of nutrition and making healthful choices,” said Chef Anita Lo. “It is a privilege to be involved in such a meaningful initiative that empowers individuals to embrace healthy cooking, healthy eating, and the celebration of culture. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the well-being of our communities.”

“Prioritizing food education and promoting healthful choices among our students is a key focus for us in New York City,” said Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. “The inspirational collaboration between our city’s students and recognized chefs, orchestrated by Common Threads, underlines the remarkable impact of this focus. These meaningful partnerships exemplify our citywide commitment to fostering healthier futures for our youth.”

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About Common Threads

Common Threads has been providing children and families with cooking and nutrition education to encourage healthy eating habits that contribute to wellness. Founded in 2003, the national non-profit organization focuses on equipping under-resourced communities with information to make affordable, nutritious, and appealing food choices wherever they live, work, learn, and play. Because food is rooted in culture and tradition, Common Threads promotes diversity in all lessons and recipes, encouraging participants to celebrate their culture. Common Threads currently operates in 10 major U.S. cities (Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York, Erie, Pittsburgh, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and El Paso). During the 2021-22 school year and summer, Common Threads provided hands-on cooking skills and nutrition education to 48,000 students and adults, worked with 310 schools and partners, and served 263,000 healthy meals and snacks. For more information, visit CommonThreads.org.

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