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

ROCKVILLE, Md. - July 23, 2013 - PRLog -- Silver Diner announced today that it is holding a contest for kids, ages 5 to 10, to become a Silver Diner “Food Critic for a Day,” on Tuesday, July 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rockville Silver Diner (12276 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md. 20852).   This is the second time that Silver Diner has held this event, which gives the restaurant insight in to how kids will rate new, healthy menu ideas. The contest is being run on Facebook and on the Silver Diner website (www.silverdiner.com).  Interested kids need to submit menu ideas for lower calories and lower fat content for appetizers, desserts, breakfast items, lunch items including sandwiches, and dinner items.    Entrees must be submitted by July 21, 2013.  Judging will take place from July 21 to 23 and selected kids will be notified on July 23.  Up to 25 kids will be selected to participate.

Please see Silver Diner website (www.silverdiner.com) and Silver Diner Facebook for full details.

Silver Diner has been recognized for having one of the healthiest kid’s menus in the nation.  In 2012 and following the kids tasting, Silver Diner removed French fries, home fries and soda from its kids menu.  The restaurant recognized that kids were already ordering more healthy sides, such as strawberries.  Since the removal fries and soda, Silver Diner sales for kid’s menu items has soared.

This past spring, Silver Diner’s Executive Chef and Co-Founder Ype Von Hengst was recognized by the Nation’s Restaurant News with a national award for his innovation in healthy eating for children.

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 $450,000 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.