Star of the Food Network's Iron Chef Cat Cora visited Port Chester's JFK Magnet Elementary School to teach kids about nutrition and her non-profit Chefs for Humanity on Thursday afternoon. The children were giddy over her presence, asking for photo opportunities and high fives as she walked through the school.
Open Door health clinic arranged Cora's visit to JFK to learn about the school's recently created community garden and the work Open Door does with the district.
Cora founded Chefs for Humanity, a non-profit organization, as a way to bring the culinary community together in an effort to raise awareness and provide resources for educational, emergency and hunger-related causes.
Westchester’s Open Door health clinics approach to improving nutrition by partnering with schools captured Cora’s attention.
On Thursday, Cora discussed nutrition, gardening, exercise and the importance of making healthy choices with school officials, students and Open Door’s nutritionists.
View the video of her visit above.
The fourth grade students from Karla Purcell's class who took part in Cora's presentation asked her questions about participating on Iron Chef, what inspires her, how to prepare healthy snacks and what she likes to eat. Cora explained she was always inspired about cooking from when she was a child who cooked with her mother. Healthy snack recommendations were grapes, yogurt, almonds and pretzels.
When one child asked if she had a lot on her mind while being judged on "Iron Chef," Cora laughed and said yes, but added some advice.
"Even when you are being judged you have to believe in yourself and be proud that you did the best job you could," Cora told the children.
The students thanked Cora for her visit and presented her with a white apron signed by all the students in that class, which she said she would frame for her office.
Read more about Open Door and Chefs for Humanity below.
About Chefs for Humanity
Chefs for Humanity, www.chefsforhumanity.org, was established by Celebrity chef Cat Cora in 2004 as a way to bring the culinary community together in an effort to raise awareness and provide resources for educational, emergency and hunger-related causes.
Chefs for Humanity has provided volunteer relief assistance in the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina and raised funds and support in Haiti in the wake of the earthquake disaster that left millions homeless and in need of food and shelter. Recently, Chefs for Humanity has visited Ethiopia and Haiti on mission trips to identify opportunities to support hunger relief and improve nutrition initiatives. It is also working to further awareness and support for these issues in the United States. For more information visit www.chefsforhumanity.org and find them on Facebook.
About Open Door Family Medical Centers
Open Door has received the highest Recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home™ (PPC-PCMH™) from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This ranking distinguishes them from medical practices across the nation as less than 12% are presently eligible to achieve this advanced standing. For 40 years, the federally qualified community health center has served a multi-cultural community and has provided top quality medical, dental care and social services to the Westchester community, particularly the economically disadvantaged. Open Door has four centers in Westchester located in Ossining, Port Chester, Mt. Kisco and Sleepy Hollow. In addition, Open Door operates five school-based health centers in Port Chester at The Edison Elementary School, Park Avenue School, Kennedy Magnet School, Port Chester Middle School and Port Chester High School. In 2011, 47,245 patients were treated at Open Door, making 208,622 patient visits. In the same year 14,520 children were treated. In 2012 Open Door, with partners New York Medical College and Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, launched the NYMC Phelps Family Medicine Residency Program, the first accredited family medicine residency to be established in New York State since 1995. Funding for Open Door Family Medical Centers comes from local, state and federal grants as well as private foundations and individuals. For more information visitwww.opendoormedical.org. You can also follow Open Door on Facebook and Twitter.
