With a third of America’s children overweight and one in four going hungry, Chef Stephan Pyles of Samar and Stephan Pyles has decided to stand in the gap. From Monday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Oct. 19, Pyles will host a Lunch Break for Kids fundraiser at his restaurant, Stephan Pyles, during lunchtime hours. Organized by the makers of Hidden Valley Salad Dressings and the American Culinary Federation to support the Chef and Child Foundation, the event will benefit nutrition education programs that equip families with the knowledge to make healthier food choices. All guests have to do is purchase any lunch item to help support the fundraiser.
“Awareness is what we’re creating,” Pyles said. “It is the most important thing because many people just don’t know what to feed their families.”
In its second year, the fundraiser has worked with many chefs across the nation to create awareness.
For Pyles, it is an issue central to his career and passion as a chef and he encourages guests to come and support the cause.
Pyles will feature a special lunch menu for the fundraiser. The menu will also include a Hidden Valley-inspired item that will be available throughout the week. Guests can opt to dine in or carry out with proceeds going to creating resources to encourage families to eat healthier meals and nutrition education programs in schools and community centers.
“I pour my heart and soul into these efforts,” Pyles said. “We’ve all got to do something to make sure kids are eating and eating healthy.”
Pyles offered advice to families struggling to create healthy meals for children. He mentioned that a 2006 study conducted by the University of California Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program found that children tend to eat more veggies when paired with a moderate amount of ranch dressing.
He even gave us the recipe to the special Hidden Valley-inspired lunch item that will be on the menu next week.
So now that you have a great new recipe, make some time in your schedule next week to head to Stephan Pyles Restaurant at 1807 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201, order a delicious and healthy meal, and most important, support a great cause.
Tiffany Thomas is a 22-year-old from Shreveport. She graduated from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA. She enjoys writing, cooking, shopping, and eating.
