The Elan Catering and Events Teaches Local NJ Children about Healthy Food

June 24, 2011 - PRLog -- The Elan, Bergen County’s newest catering and event venue, announced their new healthy cooking program for the Boys and Girls Club of Lodi, NJ.  

The program will offer a monthly cooking class, beginning this July. The Elan’s Award-Winning Executive Chef, Joseph Macri, will teach children and young teens about making healthy food choices.  The program is offered at no cost, to the children who are members of the Boys and Girls Club of Lodi.

“In today’s economy, we understand how difficult it is to support a family. With both parents working and children often on their own, it is incredibly important to have a positive place for children to spend time after school where they can complete their homework assignments, be active, and socialize.  The Boys and Girls Club offers such a place.  After a recent visit, Chef Macri and I learned that these children are being served burgers, hot dogs and other unhealthy food on a regular basis for both lunch and dinner.  That was when we decided to start our own version of a “Food Revolution”, inspired by Chef Jamie Oliver,” says Owner of The Elan, Ari Starkman.

This program was important for Starkman to create - as his family’s meals were all homemade and healthy, while growing up.  Starkman sees the importance in giving children the knowledge to cook for themselves and their families and also to decide which meals or ingredients are nutritious and healthy. “The processed foods that children ingest are so unhealthy and there is no telling their long term effects.  Our mini “Food Revolution” will educate the children at the Boys and Girls Club on fresh foods and how to cook simple healthy dinners for themselves and siblings that taste delicious when they are at home and their parents are stuck at work.  Our goal is to empower today’s children and give them the tools to start living a healthy lifestyle and learn about simple delicious foods which even the fussiest eaters will like,” says Starkman.

The Elan’s first class with the Boys and Girls Club of Lodi will be on Tuesday, July 26 at 12:30 in the afternoon, at the Boys and Girls Club located at 460 Passaic Street in Lodi, NJ.   Chef Macri will be discussing healthy foods as well as kitchen safety.   The next class will be on Tuesday, August 23, also at 12:30.  Once school starts in September, The Elan plans cooking classes for children all throughout Bergen County.





For more information on The Elan Catering and Events or this cooking program, please email info@theelan.com or call (973) 777-0503.


ABOUT THE ELAN CATERING AND EVENTS:  Conveniently located in Bergen County, New Jersey, in the Borough of Lodi, The Elan Catering and Events venue accommodates for standing wedding and event receptions up to 500 people.  In addition to the newly renovated facility, The Elan features modern amenities and sophisticated cuisine. For more information, please visit www.theelan.com, or find The Elan on Facebook www.facebook.com/theelan.

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Neptune Communications is a communications firm based in Bergen County, New Jersey that specializes in public relations for small businesses in the corporate, healthcare, retail, lifestyle, hospitality, food and beverage, and business-to-business sectors. Neptune Communications specializes in event production, social media, corporate counseling, media relations, strategic planning and crisis communication.