Vote for Healthy Eating: Vote for Louie's Kids

By Sarah Marie Glass

Louie’s Kids Big Chef/Little Chef 2010 Challenge sponsored by Piggly Wiggly voted F.I.G.’s Mike Lata and Louie’s Kids participant Davida Johnson Pugh as best duo.

The sold out event paired a little chef from the Lowcountry’s non-profit Louie’s Kids with each of seven big chefs from top Charleston area restaurants. The event featured Lata as well as six other top chefs: Craig Deihl of Cypress, Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill, Marc Collins of Circa 1886, Sean Brock of McCrady’s, Nico Romo of FISH, and Fred Neuville of Fat Hen. Big and little chefs teamed up to cook the healthiest and tastiest food possible using local ingredients while staying within a budget.

Lowndes Plantation on the Ashley River and Hank Futch of Charleston’s very own Blue Dogs provided the perfect backdrop to the benefit. The benefit’s 250 attendees leisurely strolled from table to table tasting fresh, healthy, and affordable concoctions while enjoying a cool river breeze.

Supporters voted on their favorite Big/Little Chef pair. Jennifer Holtsclaw, a benefit attendee remarked, “I think it’s exciting to see seven chefs of this caliber giving their time and talents to make a positive impression on these kids.”

Louie’s Kids, founded by Louis Yuhasz, is a Charleston based non-profit organization focused on fighting childhood obesity. The program works to treat underprivileged children on a case-by-case basis. Each child’s treatment is a unique combination of counseling, nutrition and fitness education, various support systems, and physical activity. Louie’s Kids’ programs help teach the children how to make healthy diet and lifestyle decisions and obtain good habits.

A panel of professional judges starred Marvin Woods – a celebrity chef, host and author; Biggest Loser Season 6 finalists Heba Salama and Ed Brantley; and local TV personality Ryan Nelson. Judges voted based on flavor, originality, and nutritional value.

Woods explained his loyalty to the cause: “I got involved with Louie’s Kids at the Charleston Wine and Food Festival last year. Louie asked me to get involved and synergy between Louie and me is how it all came together. One of the things that Louie and I discussed is taking the show on the road. He’s already in Charlotte and Alabama and he asked me to partner in Atlanta. I believe that in the next couple years he will have the South covered.”

Events such as this allow supporters and the children involved to fully understand the role that healthy food plays in daily life. Louie’s Kids board member Erika McMillan explains how vital the cause really is: “The program that this all benefits is so worthwhile because it fulfills a basic human need that the children would otherwise be lacking - and that is their health.”

When asked about her involvement with the program Chef Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill describes its evident impact on the children: “This is my second year involved, it is great to see how it’s grown….Auja and I, it is our second year together. She has actually lost 65 lbs and maintained that for a year now. This year she is not afraid of anything, she’s trying all kinds of flavors – this year her favorite food is mangoes. It’s exciting to see her exploring fresh fruits and veggies instead of processed food.”

13-year-old Little Chef Auja Ravenel described how Louie’s Kids has given her confidence as well as the knowledge to maintain a healthy lifestyle, “On Saturdays we would walk the bridge or go to the pool. When I was in the program we met every Tuesday and Thursday and did an hour of therapy…It’s changed a lot [in my life], I may have a soda once in a while, but not nearly as much as I used to. I’m more physically active, I get out and do things…and now I’m in marching band at my middle school!”

As attendee Jane Larkin Miller stated: “A food story like this should start in Charleston.” The Big Chef/Little Chef 2010 Challenge sold 250 tickets at $45 each. The profits contribute to the comprehensive programming for children such as Auja and Davida. If you would like to learn more about Louie’s Kids log on to http://www.louieskids.org/.