A Fork in the Road and a Turn for the Best!

I am so lucky to work with kids. I love it. I actually discovered my love for cooking with youth when I was the private chef to filmmaker George Lucas and his family. His kids were quite young and no matter how busy I was, I always found time for them in the kitchen. Not only is cooking with kids incredibly entertaining, but it is the best way to get them to try new foods. I love that trick.

I soon became a youth mentor at the Marin Youth Center and designed and built a youth culinary center. Viking donated an Induction Cooktop which the students went wild for; they would compete to show new students how quickly it would boil and simmer! What a riot. One fateful day, a very special 14 year old walked in and saw that cook top doing its thing. His eyes were wide as I invited him to join in our class. I will never forget his look of excitement and he quickly became one of my favorite mentees of all time. After interning, he got his work permit situated and became my chef assistant for years, traveling from one Standards of Excellence showroom to another working tirelessly and little by little changing his fate.

I traveled to Estes Park, Colorado last week to watch him graduate from the remarkable Eagle Rock High School and Professional Development Center. Eagle Rock only allows 90 applicants nationwide each semester, once a student is accepted, they have to complete a two week wilderness trek with no tent or comforts to test their resolve. If they hang tough through “wilderness”, they are accepted into a free college-like boarding school and have a chance to change their lives forever. All weekend I was surrounded by very disadvantaged youth who were now finding their potential. From former gang members, to kids with no parents, to kids who once hated school, I met so many brilliant souls now soaring in the mountains. David gave a 45 minute presentation called “David’s Dish, Ingredients for Life”, based on our cooking adventures. He projected a huge oven image on the wall to tell the story. I am so proud of him, and so grateful to everyone at SOE who supported this remarkable guy, you unwittingly supplied him with some of the tools he needed to cook up a better life. Needless to say, there was not a dry eye in the house as all seven graduates told their stories and shared their gratitude the next day at the ceremony. What a turn for the BEST!

Now, for the Fork in the Road: Come on out to The Fork at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese this Friday to join me for my class, Easy Entertaining for the Holidays from 10:30- 2:30.


This hands–on class includes a farm tour, a full meal and wine for only $75! Call 1-800-591-6878 to register!

And listen to the Green Morning Show on Green 960am on Saturday from 9am - noon to catch my short cooking segments, this week featuring my love for cooking with kids and an all ages friendly recipe for Mini Quiche that is fun, easy and a great way to use up left-overs. Download the recipe here.

Remember, “It takes a village” and for many kids, there is no village. I was proud to be there representing those of us who know and care about this terrific young man. Way to go, DAVID!