Chefs for Kids “Cookin’ Up Breakfast” Program Makes Post Pandemic Return

Local chefs served up breakfast for more than 400 students and teachers at Kermit R. Booker ES. 

More than 400 students and teachers at Kermit R. Booker ES received a free, healthy breakfast as part of Chefs for Kids’ “Cookin’ Up Breakfast” program on Thursday, Feb. 17. After a two year pause due to COVID-19, the breakfast program is able to continue now thanks to a generous sponsorship from MGM Resorts International.

The first breakfast since the pandemic featured a lot of smiles from kids wearing chefs hats as they filled their bellies with farm-fresh scrambled eggs, hash brown potatoes, chicken sausage, and fresh fruit.

“Chef’s for Kids’ Cookin’ Up Breakfast events augment our nutrition education program by giving kids the opportunity to taste and experience how fun healthy eating can be,” said Heikili Apao, Chefs for Kids Chairman. “We’re truly grateful to our community partners such as MGM Resorts International for providing much needed funding and volunteers to make this program happen.”

Chefs for Kids delivers breakfast to Title I schools in Southern Nevada feeding more than 10,000 students a healthy meal each year. The schools selected for Cookin’ Up Breakfast also receive 40 minutes of nutrition education monthly through a partnership with University of Nevada, Reno Extension.

“The impact of exposing students to nutrition education in school extends beyond the classroom, as we often hear of kids sharing what they learned at home, positively affecting their families’ eating habits,” said Francis Castillo, Assistant Principal at Kermit R. Booker ES. “We’re grateful to Chefs for Kids for providing our students with this experience and putting a big smile on their faces.”   

Many hands help execute the Cookin’ Up Breakfast program including special partnerships from volunteer organizations who help supply, cook, and serve the food. For this breakfast, UNLV Executive Chef, Mark Sandoval provided and cooked the food, which was then transported and served by Chefs for Kids volunteers. 

The organization is looking for more culinary partners to provide food donations and kitchen space for preparing the meals. For more information about Chefs for Kids please visit www.chefsforkids.org.