Is cooking at home becoming a lost art? FLIPANY (Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth) is trying to change that through programs that teach kids about nutritious foods and how to prepare them, as well as the importance of regular exercise. The organization, which began in Broward in 2005 and now serves all of South Florida, hosted a fundraiser at the W Fort Lauderdale that earned about $20,000. Like many other charitable events, Chefs Up Front drew on the talents of a number of South Florida’s top culinary professionals. This one was different, however, because instead of sample tastings, each table in the ballroom had its very own chef, who created an entire three-course dinner from beginning to end. Each chef had a very visible preparation station, so guests could watch him or her perform the culinary magic. Thus, partygoers experienced an entire meal from one of several restaurants, and could also browse the room to see what others were offering. Guests smart enough to make reservations early, well before the event sold out, could choose their tables.
Participants chefs included Jeremy Ford, 3030 Ocean, Bryce Statham, Blue Moon Fish Company, Marc Gruverman, Capital Grille, Robyn Almodovar, Palate Party, Vitangelo Recchia, Indigo, Stanton Bundy, Royal Pig Pub, Christian Rassinoux, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Chris Maracolo, S3, Jason Smith, Steak 954, and Carlos Jorge, W Fort Lauderdale.
Jorge, who served as host chef, said he got involved with FLIPANY because his daughters, ages three and five, brought home to him the importance of helping less fortunate families eat healthfully. “I couldn’t imagine being in a position where I couldn’t provide them with nutritious meals,” he said.
Master of ceremonies Ryan Phillips, NBC6 meteorologist, spoke about FLIPANY’s Share Our Strength Cooking Matters program, which teaches kids and their families meal preparation skills and provides information about basic nutrition, food safety, menu planning, food budgeting and healthy snacking.
Dr. Jeff Levy, a physician whose wife, Alice, was a Chefs Up Front committee member, said he thinks many people don’t realize what a serious problem obesity is. “I consider it to have a worse prognosis than most cancers,” he said. “It’s a life-threatening disorder.” Event chair Dr. Colin Knight, a pediatric surgeon, wrote in a program message that Cooking Matters can go a long way in helping to counteract obesity, which is often exacerbated by the overuse of fast food. “For what better way to change the lives of these children, and families as a whole,” he said, “than to teach them to prepare healthy, nutritious and affordable food at home.”
