Larry King-Davis Muhlenberg Career Development Center’s chef joined other Job Corps chefs from across the country in the nation’s capital to share creative ways to serve more nutritious food to MCDC students.  The chefs were part of the second annual “Job Corps’ Top Chefs: Creating Healthy and Nutritious Food Services” summit held in Washington, DC, on Sept 13-15.

 A highlight of the summit was a discussion with White House Assistant Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives Sam Kass.  Kass guided a personal tour of the White House Kitchen Garden, which First Lady Michelle Obama started as part of her Let’s Move campaign to fight childhood obesity.  Kass talked with the chefs about how they can begin or expand gardens at their own centers.

 King-Davis said, “Being a part of the competition and working with other top Job Corps chefs from around the United States was quite a thrill.  Touring the White House Kitchen Garden was a very nice touch.  I have been in food service of different types all my life, this definitely was an experience I will always cherish.”  

 The summit ended with a “Top Chef”-style competition, where participants teamed up to create healthy, flavorful meals in the Lounge 201 kitchen on Capitol Hill, using ingredients purchased from a local farmers market in DC. The competition was sponsored by the National Job Corps Association (NJCA) and Sodexo, Incorporated, a leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Sodexo delivers On Site Service Solutions to corporations, educational facilities, the health care industry, government and remote site segments.

 Kenny Brown, center director at Muhlenberg said, “It was a great honor for Mr. King-Davis to represent MCDC at the “Healthy and Nutritious Food Services” summit in Washington, D.C.  With obesity running rampant across the United States in youth and young adults, it is imperative we do all we can to offer even more healthy menu items at our Job Corps center.  Mr. King-Davis had incorporated many low calorie items on our menu before his trip to D.C.  I am sure he has brought back even more delicious offerings for our staff and students to enjoy.”

 MCDC is one of 124 Job Corps centers in the nation. Job Corps is a unique national program that provides a safe environment for unemployed, undereducated, low-income youth to prepare them for successful careers or further education.  “Because Job Corps is a residential experience, Job Corps chefs have an important responsibility to provide three nutritious meals a day for 60,000 students and also teach the healthy lifestyle choices young people can use throughout their lives,” said LaVera Leonard, President of the NJCA. “Job Corps is committed to helping young people learn lifestyle skills and career training they need to be healthy, well-rounded, active economic contributors to their communities.”