Chefs Are Parents, Too!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kathleen Goldstein, 202.841.0295
Stephanie Crane Faison, 908.626.0111
Katharine Burnham, 202.572.3335

(August 29, 2007 – Brooklyn, NY) Some of New York City’s top chefs, along with experts from KidSafe Seafood and Environmental Defense, hosted an end-of-summer picnic in the park today to highlight fun, healthy seafood choices that kids will enjoy – and that will help them develop sound nutritional habits for life. Even chefs struggle with their own children’s food preferences while recognizing the need to provide healthy meals for young, growing bodies.

The picnic, at The River Café in Brooklyn, included celebrity chef “seafood stations” with recipes that featured KidSafe Seafood’s Best Choices – wild Alaskan salmon, fresh tilapia, farmed Blue mussels, Northern U.S. and Canadian shrimp, U.S. farmed crayfish and farmed bay scallops. Each Chef (listed below) created a child-friendly recipe that highlights seafood that is nutritious, low in environmental contaminants and eco-friendly. Chefs also brought their kids to the event because they believe it is important to feed them healthy food, and also teach them the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

“Chefs are parents, too, and even as icons of the restaurant industry, they struggle with their kids’ nutritional needs,” said Hollis Hope, SeaWeb Managing Director. “As children head back to school, parents are looking for simple and delicious ways to include nutritious foods in their family’s diet. KidSafe Seafood provides many healthy options that are both high in Omega 3s and are an excellent source of lean protein.”

KidSafe Seafood campaign is a collaborative effort of chefs, pediatricians and sustainable seafood experts to help parents make all-around good seafood choices for their children. The campaign features a Best Choices list, information about how to avoid mercury and other pollutants that can be found in fish and guidance for making ocean-friendly seafood choices.

With rates of childhood obesity, diabetes and other serious children’s health issues skyrocketing, it is more important than ever that we pay close attention to our kids’ diets and nutrition.

“Seafood is an excellent option for young children if it is both low in contaminants like mercury and ocean friendly,” said Dr. Rebecca Goldburg, Senior Scientist at Environmental Defense in New York City and mother of two young children. “The trick is figuring out which seafood fits that bill, and which dishes will pass the taste test with kids. KidSafe Seafood helps simplify this equation.”

But seafood can be a challenge for parents, even chefs. Many busy parents think seafood is too complicated to cook at home or to get finicky eaters to eat. Also, some seafood is healthier than others for children. KidSafe Seafood takes the guesswork out of choosing and preparing seafood for kids at home.

Pregnant women receive clear information about what and how much fish to eat, but most parents are unsure of how to translate these guidelines to feeding their children, whose small bodies and rapidly developing brains also need protection. KidSafe Seafood provides those guidelines and identifies fish that are good for kids to eat.

To learn more about KidSafe Seafood and download recipes visit www.kidsafeseafood.org .

To learn more about environmentally-friendly seafood visit www.environmentaldefense.org/seafood .

Featured Chefs:
Jim Botsacos, Partner/Executive Chef, Molyvos Restaurant
Marc Murphy, Owner/Chef, Landmarc, Ditch Plains
Ben Pollinger, Executive Chef, Oceana Restaurant
Debra Ponzek, Proprietor, Aux Delices Foods
Brad Steelman, Executive Chef, The River Café

Some seafood was donated by Wild Edibles. Urban Angler donated their fly fishing services.