G’day kids,

2014 is looking like a pretty exciting year! By now most of you know of my involvement with No Kid Hungry and how dear this charity is to me. I’m excited to share with you the upcoming Chefs On Bikes Ride for No Kid Hungry.

Now I’ve always had a soft spot for kids. I think it’s the way they look at us, unconditionally, hanging off every word when it comes to teaching them. In my case, when it comes to cooking and food, it drives me to teach and promote that healthy cooking, living and eating really matters. Having my own son and wanting the best for him has only added to my need and desire to teach and encourage kids in the kitchen! Back home in Australia, I was involved with The OPAL Program, helping teach under-served kids and families how to shop, cook and eat better and healthier. When I got here to America, that desire to be involved had not diminished and I was always looking for something that would be a cause I could get behind here in the States.

I got involved with No Kid Hungry and Share Our Strength here in NY and NJ and I am truly proud and honored to be a part of their team. From the moment I started doing the research, I knew I had found my home and a cause that really mattered. Kids. Always back to the kids, a familiar theme. I was shocked as an outsider (Aussie) to learn how many families and kids here in America were going without proper food and nutrition. I was blessed to be able to participate in a dinner event here in New York City to cook alongside a host of a wonderful chefs and to represent them on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. It solidified for me my need to be involved with this wonderful organization and to do what I could to get the word out.

One of the things on my bucket list is to ride my bike across America, so it became a no-brainer to help create The Chefs On Bikes concept. It’s actually been something I’ve thought about and outlined for a very long time and when the the opportunity to combine The Ride with such a worthwhile and worthy cause, it was an easy decision and automatic fit for me. I am a true believer in that some things are fated, and the reason I had not gotten a chance to bike across America prior to this is because it was meant to be now, with No kid Hungry.

Together with my team, I met with Debbie and Billy Shore and their creative team in Washington, DC, at the No Kid Hungry headquarters to discuss the event. Sometime in late spring/early summer 2015, I will start a ride across America, hopefully in the company of many chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality companies and employees, all to raise awareness and funds to help eradicate childhood hunger in America.

In a few months, as a sort of test-run, I’ll be doing a Pilot Ride from NYC to Washington, DC, and this is where you all come in. My friends, fans and followers, I’m asking you to help me get the word out. I’m calling on all chefs, restaurants, servers, and those in the hospitality industry who would like to participate, or donate or volunteer to please reach out me. We are looking for chefs and restaurant folks who want to step up and peddle for a good cause. The flyer below explains all the details:

To get involved with Share Our Strength: Donate Today

Your tax-deductible donation will connect hungry children with the food they need to live, learn and grow!

Together, my friends, we can help make sure that across America, there is No Kid Hungry.

Cheers,

Jas