tuesday, may 13th, 2008

Tonight I'm teaching a class for Operation Frontline, a program that connects families with food by teaching them through a series of cooking and nutrition classes how to prepare healthy, flavorful meals on a tight budget. Working with Operation Frontline is one of the most rewarding things I do in the culinary world and it amazes me that such little effort on my part can make such a big impact in someone's life.

Operation Frontline's goal is to give families the tools and knowledge they need to make healthy food choices on even the most meager budget. The tension created by living in an environment where your children are always just one meal away from being at risk for hunger creates a stress that many of us could never imagine. It is the goal of Operation Frontline to teach families how to make nutritious meals at home with foods that are commonly available through local, state or federal assistance programs and emergency food providers.

The coursework's mission is to arm participants with nutrition, cooking and budgeting skills that they can use immediately and take with them into the future. Operation Frontline strengthens families by empowering them with the resources and knowledge they need to avoid the debilitating effects of hunger and poverty.

This evening's course is for a program called In The Mix, a series of classes designed to teach past Operation Frontline participants who have expressed an interest in working professionally in the food industry about the vast possibilities available to them and arming them with tools they will need to get started on their journey. Prep work for Operation Frontline classes is minimal and it never ceases to amaze me that just a few hours from my week can make such a difference in a person's life.

I know we are all busy but I would encourage all culinary professionals to carve out a few hours in their lives to devote to teaching an Operation Frontline class. The rewards are considerable for the students but I would venture to say that they are even greater for the instructor. There is nothing more inspiring than looking into the face of a person who has learned a new skill that you know they will carry with them for a lifetime. Watching a mother leave a class knowing she is now armed with the skills and knowledge necessary to create healthy meals for her children on even the slimmest budget is a pleasure without equal.

Operation Frontline classes are sponsored by various organizations throughout the country. Visit Share Our Strength's website to find out more and to get involved in a program that I can virtually guarantee will enhance your career and enrich your life.