First Lady Michelle Obama Invites JWU Chefs to Inaugurate White House Campaign

New Initiative Makes Proper Nutrition a Priority

Washington, DC – June 4, 2010 – JWU department chairs, chef-instructors and alumni recently joined hundreds of chefs from 37 states on the White House’s South Lawn to inaugurate Chefs Move to Schools, part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign to end childhood obesity.

Changing Habits, Changing Lives
Run by the US Department of Agriculture, the new initiative pairs chefs with local schools to create budget-conscious, balanced meals and to teach students about healthy dietary choices.

It’s a tall order: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three children in the US is classified as overweight or obese. Changing habits is not going to happen overnight, and it will take a concerted effort by administration and chefs alike.

“It’s got to be a collaboration,” the First Lady told the assembled chefs. “These schools are going to need your support. You are all at the heart of this initiative because ...you know more about food than almost anyone, and you’ve got the visibility and enthusiasm to match that knowledge.”

A Paradigm Shift
Belinda Smith-Sullivan ’09, a personal chef and food writer, was fired up by the First Lady’s comments. “This is bringing about a paradigm shift in how children think about food. If you can get kids involved at a very young age and teach them to appreciate food, then you’re way ahead of the game.”

Renée Petrillo ’10, a recent graduate of JWU’s Culinary Nutrition program, was chosen to attend because of her work with Operation Frontline, a Denver, Colorado-based nonprofit that teaches families how to prepare healthier, low-cost meals.

Three JWU department chairs (pictured above) also attended the event: Maureen Pothier (Providence, Culinary Labs), Kerstin Kleber (Denver, Baking & Pastry Arts) and Birch DeVault (Denver, Culinary Arts). Kleber spoke at length with White House pastry chef Bill Yosses, while Pothier was one of the lucky few to shake the First Lady’s hand.

Small Lessons, Big Changes
After her remarks, the First Lady invited school children and chefs to help her harvest vegetables from the White House Kitchen Garden.

"Small lessons like these can help put young people on the path of making healthy choices for years to come," noted Sam Kass, assistant White House chef and food initiative coordinator.

To Petrillo, this is the start of a new movement. “This group of distinguished chefs all put their busy schedules aside to come together and support this worthy cause,” she said. “This campaign launch showed me that there are many others doing complementary work. [Their] combined efforts will make sustainable change.”