The movement to shore up kids’ diets for better health comes in the wake of First Lady Michelle Obama’s high-profile encouragement to support healthier eating habits and prevent obesity in children. Local resident Manuela “Manu” Seitz-Hipkins launched KidsHealthyChoices, which promotes health-focused changes to children’s menus with guidance from professional advisers, one restaurant at a time.
“I found that although healthy solutions for school lunch programs have made tremendous progress, children’s menus at many restaurants remain unbalanced,” said Seitz-Hipkins, a pediatric speech and language pathologist and mother of three.
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Saying she is inspired by “Renegade Lunch Lady” Ann Cooper, Seitz-Hipkins continued, “I am determined that this can be done for restaurants as well.”
She approached Sam’s Chowder House, Meza Luna, Chez Shea, Café Gibraltar and others.
Julie Shenkman, co-owner of Sam’s Chowder House, said that she modified some selections on the adult menu like grilled salmon with vegetables or fruit, and offers them as healthy entrées for children.
“Things we had on the menu before that are healthy,” she said.
Just down the road, the Princeton Seafood Company is starting the monthly Chef of the Month Contest.
Those who love seafood and cooking can enter.
The winner, along with three guests, will be treated to his/her own meal prepared at the restaurant. The meal and chef will be featured on the restaurant’s menu and other marketing materials for a month.
“We want to generate some excitement in the community,” said restaurant owner Mary Botham. “We want to generate a recipe from one of our own community members.”
The judge is cookbook author and Princeton Seafood regular Jeannette Ferrary of Woodside. She wants recipes with local, in-season fish, in a meal that’s easy to fix in a restaurant.
The deadline for the first month’s entries is Wednesday, March 31. Submit recipes via e-mail to princetonseafood@gmail.com or by mail to 9 Johnston Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, or by dropping it off at the restaurant. Include the chef’s full name, phone number and e-mail address.
The first winner will be announced by April 15.
For information, contact Princeton Seafood Company owner Mary Botham at 726-2722.
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