Chefs Make a Difference at Charles R. Drew Charter School!

As our nation faces the largest crisis of childhood obesity in our history, our local chefs began their own crusade at Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta’s East Lake community.

Chef Michael Deihl and Chef Karen Patton recently adopted Charles R. Drew Charter School in the Chefs Move to Schools program, spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama in her Let’s Move! program.  Chef Deihl, the Executive Chef at East Lake Golf Club and Chairman of the Board for the American Culinary Federation Greater Atlanta Chapter, has always had a passion for healthy cooking and for giving back to his community. Combine his love for children and a true belief in their future, and you have a winning recipe!  As part of the East Lake community, Chef Deihl and the East Lake staff follow the incredible example set by Mr. Tom Cousins and the CF Foundation of giving back to the community through the work of the East Lake Foundation. Each and every member of the East Lake family has a strong commitment of giving back to their community.

Chef Karen Patton received her culinary training from Atlanta Technical College and has had her own catering business for nearly five years. Chef Patton has joined the Chefs Move to Schools initiative working with Drew Charter School and has formed a nonprofit organization that focuses on educating seniors, diabetics and children on nutrition and the benefits of local growing.

Also assisting with the Chefs Move to Schools program is Tracy Nailor.  Tracy, a pediatrician, appeared on Gordon Ramsey’s Master Chef program this past season. Tracy has a child in kindergarten at Drew, and will be involved as a chef in Drew program.

The first Chefs Move session, as part of the Healthy You, Healthy Drew initiative was held on Wednesday, August 24th at Drew Charter with more than 60 Pre-K students and their teachers attending.  The topic: peaches and reducing sugar in our food choices.  The students sampled fresh peaches and a reduced sugar dessert made with peaches and sugar-free Jell-O. They also learned about eating fresh fruit as part of their daily meals.

“Handing a child a piece of fresh fruit they have never seen before and watching them take that first bite is as humbling a culinary experience as there is. If your eyes are not watering after that, you are not a true chef at heart.” Chef Michael Deihl

Monthly sessions are planned for the entire school year at Drew Charter School, as Chef Deihl and Chef Patton make a difference right here in our local community!