Healthy soul food was part of the Black History Month opening ceremony held at Upstate Medical University on February 1. Pictured is  Chef Bleu (Will Lewis)  serving healthy collard greens to Drenye Chandler, 6, and Alana Jo, 10, who attended the event to  sing “Life Every Voice and Sing,” with their group, Precious Lily.

Chef Bleu‘s motto --“Food Matters To Our Health” -– is inspired by First LadyMichelle Obama‘s childhood obesity initiative  and his personal desire to stay healthy.  A retired  executive chef and cancer survivor, Lewis describes cooking food as themeans for taking care of friends and family. To help friends, family and the community get healthy, Lewis cooks meals that are healthy twists on traditional recipes, such ascollard greens cooked with smoked turkey instead of ham hocks, and skinless chicken baked in multigrain coating instead of fried chicken.

In the background are Chef Bleu‘s assistants, Johnny Hayes and Jackie Policastro.


For info on upcoming Black History events at Upstate:
http://www.upstate.edu/specialevents/black_history.php

To contact Chef Bleu:
http://www.personalchef.com/memberpage-id-Will-Lewis.php