Centered Chef-Educate Entertain & Inspire Wellness

On a follow up to Chef Ryan’s feature  in the Crain’s ”Entrepreneurs In Action” video, Lisa Leiter caught up with Ryan to gain insight on the tenacity it took to build out the innovative Centered Chef culinary studio.

Chef Ryan’s favorite soup is Vietnamese Pho (prounounced “Fuh”). Watch as chef Ryan assembles the official dish of Vietnam in a few easy steps. This delicous beef and rice noodle soup is perfect for Fall weather. With vibrant flavors and aromas that are accented by fresh herbs and soothing spices, this will soon be one of your favorites too!

Chef Ryan recently joined a panel of guests including, Nutritionist and Author, Pam Smith, and Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Jim Galloway, on the “Live! with Dr. Sandy” radio show. Along with co-host Scott Mackay, chef Ryan answered questions from Dr. Sandy about his involvement in “Building A Healthier Chicago”, general cooking & eating advice and about the recent opening of Centered Chef culinary studio.

Chef Ryan’s interview can be seen at 1:35.

Check out this article featured in the July edition of Competitor Magazine, where Chef Ryan shares some of his favorite recipes perfect for celebrating late summer flavors.

In an effort to better support families with food allergies, Chef Ryan recently filmed the pilot for “Chef 2 Go: Food Allergy Intervention” as part of a partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Network Mothers of America (AANMA) and Anaphylaxis Community Experts (ACE), in association with MBM Productions International. 

Aimed at educating individuals and families with timely advice and sound cooking tips, Chef Ryan visited a local Chicago grocery store in search of a family with food allergies.  In meeting the Navarro family and their 19 month old baby, Grae, Chef Ryan was able to work with food allergist and president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Dr. Dana Wallace, to design an “allergy free” meal that worked around more than 20 allergies that both baby and father have collectively.

Tomato season is upon us.  If you’ve ever wondered what to do with all those delicious beauties, Chef Ryan’s latest appearance on WGN’s Lunchbreak will guide you.  Watch as he prepares Tomato Chutney, to be used in both Bruschetta and Glazed Chicken recipes.  Vibrant and spicy, this all-purpose condiment is perfect in many applications. 
 

Chefs Ryan, Sara and Rick are facilitating “Cook Better” workshops in more than 20 cities this summer, for Lend Lease, one of the world’s largest construction management firms.  In partnership with Proactive Partners of Chicago, Centered Chef is excited about the opportunity to “educate, entertain & inspire” wellness through it’s innovative programming that blends nutrition and culinary arts.

Chef Ryan explains, “It’s exciting to work with an organization that’s so heavily invested in its employees’ wellbeing.  With an understanding of Lend Lease’s objectives in relation to their employees’ Health Risk Assessments, we customized a workshop aimed at teaching people to cook more often and healthfully, while addressing barriers like time, cost and food literacy.”

Lend Lease “Cook Better” tour dates:  

• 17-Jun-2011                        Columbus, OH
• 23-Jun-2011                        West Palm Beach, FL
• 29-Jun-2011                        Washington, DC
• 30-Jun-2011                        Atlanta, GA
• 6-Jul-2011                           Tucson, AZ
• 7-Jul-2011                           Camp Lejeune, NC
• 13-Jul-2011                         Charlotte, NC
• 14-Jul-2011                         Peterson, CO
• 14-Jul-2011                         Fort Knox, Kentucky
• 15-Jul-2011                         Fort Hood, TX
• 15-Jul-2011                         Princeton, NJ
• 18-Jul-2011                         Fort Wainwright, AK
• 20-Jul-2011                         Tampa, FL
• 20-Jul-2011                         Lexington, MA
• 21-Jul-2011                         Chicago, IL
• 25-Jul-2011                         Fort Drum, NY
• 29-Jul-2011                         Honolulu, HI
• 2-Aug-2011                         San Francisco
• 11-Aug-2011                       Nashville, TN

In showdown against Chef Patsy Bentivegna, of Cooking Skills Academy, Chef Ryan took the prize after winning over a group of 12 year-old judges with his Watermelon Soup with Cantaloupe Bubbles.  Zisboombah is a culinary advocacy group that has developed a unique platform from which to address childhood obesity.  Through it’s interactive, kid-friendly website, Zisboombah recently took top prize in First Lady’s Apps for Healthy Kids contest.

Chef Ryan’s winning three-course menu was prepared in just 25 minutes, with Asha, his guest sous chef:

Spinach Salad with Roasted Grape Vinaigrette
Turkey Quesadilla with Pepper Jack atop Roasted Heirloom Tomato Salsa
Watermelon Soup with Cantaloupe Bubbles

June 28th @ 4:30 pm:  FIT City Chicago features Chefs Ryan and Sara from Centered Chef, along with special guest Judy Kolish, RD/LDN/CDE from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to present “Stealthy & Healthy” cooking.

location: Dominick’s Cooking Corner Stage

June 30th @ 3:30pm:  Centered Chef is proud to feature fitness expert Mark Beier, in a cooking demo featuring the topic of “Fueling on Whole Grains”.  Mark will take the audience through some simple recipes that feature functional ingredients and delicious recipes that will fuel your body for the long day ahead.

location: Dominick’s Cooking Corner Stage

July 2nd @ 1:30pm: In a fun and dynamic platform, watch as Chef Ryan competes against Chef Patsy Bentvegna in the “Zisboombah Kids Cooking Competition” featuring a panel of 12 year old judges with a fierce eye for healthy, kid-friendly foods.

location: Family Village Area

July 3rd @ 11:30am:  Chefs Ryan and Sara present “Clean Cuisine” with some of their favorite recipes.  Learn about delicious foods that should be a staple in your arsenal of summer recipes.

location: Dominick’s Cooking Corner Stage