Silver Diner to Hold “Food Critic for a Day” Contest for Kids

March 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Silver Diner announced today that it is holding a contest for kids, ages 4 to 12, to become a Silver Diner “Food Critic for a Day.”  The contest is being run on Facebook and on the Silver Diner website (www.silverdiner.com).  Interested kids need to create a 90-second video and have their parents complete a form.  In the video, kids should explain why he or she is a good candidate for the job.  The videos should include the “Tastes Good & Good for You” theme and should be creative.  Video submissions are due by March 9. Twenty-five children will be selected to come to the Rockville Silver Diner (12276 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md. 20852) on Tuesday, March 20 from 5-7 p.m. (4 to 7 year olds) and 7-9 p.m. (8-12 year olds) to participate in a kids menu tasting event and to help Silver Diner further develop a kids menu that is good for you and tastes good.  Winners will be notified on March 15.

In 2007, Silver Diner became the first chain restaurant in the D.C. region to eliminate the use of trans fats from all of its menus.  Following that, the restaurant launched its “Fresh and Local” menu, under the direction of Executive Chef and Co-Founder Ype Von Hengst. Von Hengst continues to bring new exciting locally sourced and healthy items to Silver Diner families. With one of the most extensive children’s menus in the country, Silver Diner features 18 kids’ menu items with 50% qualifying as healthier; either as a heart healthy item or as a National Restaurant Association’s Kids’ Live Well item. “Guests have responded extremely favorably to our healthy menu selections, including our kids menu,” said Von Hengst. “Since we added healthier items, we’ve seen a 10% increase in our kids’ entrée sales.”

The “Tastes Good & Good for You” theme is a further extension of Silver Diner’s kids’ menu of complete meals and healthier choices.  “Based on internal research, we know 70% of kids choose what they eat when dining out,” said Von Hengst.  “It’s key that we have healthier options that kids want to order, so they develop healthy eating habits at a young age.” Chef Ype’s goal is to have 90% of kids’ entrees qualifying as healthy, tastes good and good for you.

In keeping with their commitment to kids and families, Silver Diner was one of the first restaurants to sign on with the National Restaurant Association’s Kid’s LiveWell initiative and the restaurant has its own program, “Eat Well Do Well” which allows diners to link frequent dining cards to local enrolled schools.  Through the end of this year, Silver Diner expects to raise more than $250,000 for partnering schools.  The schools must spend the money on nutrition or fitness programs.  For more information on the “Food Critic for a Day” contest, go to www.silverdiner.com, or call Matilde Ott at 301-230-8478, or email mott@silverdiner.com.

About Silver Diner
With restaurants throughout Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey, Silver Diner is the preferred local restaurant for families seeking high-quality and healthier choices. Built on the values of integrity, quality and putting people first, the first Silver Diner was established in 1989 in Rockville, Maryland. Since then, Silver Diner has grown to own and operate 15 restaurants, serving three million customers yearly throughout the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. Executive Chef Ype Von Hengst ensures that food quality is a top priority, incorporating local ingredients wherever possible. By purchasing fresh and local ingredients, such as hormone free, all natural meats, milk free of bovine growth hormone and free-range chickens, Chef Ype keeps menu items chef driven and customer focused. In addition to an updated Fresh & Local menu, Silver Diner is engaged with local communities, schools and organizations. From Kid’s Nights to fundraisers with local schools, Silver Diner continues its mission to give back to its customers. The restaurant’s Eat Well, Do Well program donates a percentage of its sales to enrolled schools to improve nutrition and fitness programs. Schools may also host "Run the Diner" Fundraisers, where school volunteers help "Run the Diner" the night of a school’s fundraiser to help earn money for the school. For more information and to view the complete directory of locations, go to www.SilverDiner.com. Visit Silver Diner on Facebook or follow @Silver_Diner on Twitter.