Students from The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University partnered with Gateway Community Services this past weekend to show kids how food can be healthy and fun. Board members of one of The School’s premier, annual events, Les Gourmets, visited Gateway’s Kevin J. Moody’s youth home, which houses young people who are unable to live at home for up to a year in a half.
With an interactive and informational presentation, the 14 board members prepared a pasta dinner for 12 of the house residents on Sunday evening. The menu included their choice of sautéed vegetables with pasta and either red sauce or oil, most of which was prepared on site.
Board members were happy to give back to the community and share their experience and passion for food with the kids.
Les Gourmets Heart of the House Director Nate Redner (BA ’12) says, “Cooking with deserving kids is always an exciting and fulfilling opportunity that Les Gourmets is proud to be a part of. We took time to connect with youth and explain the importance of a healthy diet and the implications that good food can have on your overall health.”
Gateway Community Services is a local nonprofit organization in Ingham County that has been helping homeless and struggling youth and their families since 1970. Gateway runs seven main programs that provide youths ages 10-21 essential services to both strengthen and empower them to become contributing members of the community. Many of the programs Gateway runs are run out of the Kevin J. Moody Youth Home, which is a transitional living shelter. More information about Gateway Community Services can be found on their website www.gatewayservices.org.
As one of the premier events in The School of Hospitality Business, Les Gourmets has evolved since its beginning in 1951 from a simple buffet dinner to an elaborate seven-course, black tie-optional reception and dinner, including varieties of entertainment.
For 61 years, students have worked in all areas – management, sales, marketing, purchasing, finance, culinary management, and serving – to present a night to remember every spring. This year’s event is Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, where students will showcase the wonderful tastes and culture of the State of Michigan, with the theme Pure Michigan. Your Les Gourmets experience begins at www.msulesgourmets.com.
