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ABOUT US

WHAT IS C.H.E.F?

Cook Healthy, Eat Fresh is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating children from all backgrounds about agriculture, healthy cooking, nutritional needs, dining etiquette, culinary tours, global cuisine education, and entrepreneurship. CHEF offers accessible nutritional information, education, and demonstrations to children and their families, empowering them to make sensible, healthy food choices.

Our Mission

Empowering children and young adults  from all backgrounds to eat and live sustainably by teaching them how to cook healthy meals for themselves and their families.

The CHEF TEAM

Meet Our Team

Chef Kimberly VanKline, Founder & Executive Director

Founded by Celebrity Chef Kimberly VanKline, Cook Healthy Eat Fresh brings together Chef Kimberly’s unique style and innovative use of elements from all culinary disciplines: the attention to detail, fresh, quality ingredients, and sophistication of haute cuisine, with the relaxed richness, complexity and intense flavors of her Harlem roots with her love for children and the desire to see families gather around meals that not only nourish the body but the soul.

 

Chef Kimberly VanKline was born at the crossroads of haute cuisine and comfort food. Her grandmother, a product of the Harlem Renaissance and a well-traveled, classically-trained chef, saw talent in the young Van Kline, and taught her both Continental/French cuisine, as well as traditional Southern cooking from a very young age. By the time Chef VanKline launched her catering company, “Passion for the Palate”, in 2009 she had been cooking and perfecting recipes for more than 30 years. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for Virginia State University's Hospitality Management Programs Advisory Board.

Through Cook Healthy Eat Fresh, Chef Kimberly looks forward to providing opportunities for children to study, prepare, and taste a wide variety of locally grown and naturally healthy foods.

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Henry Dudley, President

As a successful Chef and Hospitality Executive with over twenty years of experience, Henry Dudley brings the highest level of professionalism in successful restaurant operations, complemented with his signature style and a casual elegance that exemplifies both NYC Sophistication and Warm Southern hospitality. In 2013, Dudley’s ambitious nature led him to establish Dudley Hospitality Group, a full-service restaurant consulting firm, where he served as a Chef and Principal Consultant for clientele in New York and Washington, D.C.-notable clients included: Arthur and Gaby Sulzsberger (Publisher of New York Times); Woody Johnson (Owner of the New Jets); The Commissioner Club at Met Life Stadium, where he designed many of the seasonal menus for the team’s exclusive events. Dudley went on to serve as Executive Chef at TAP Sports Bar, a high-energy restaurant and bar concept at MGM National Harbor, the Capital Region’s newest luxury resort. This new opportunity further allowed Dudley to place his entrepreneurial and innovative spirit at the forefront to elevate the traditional sports bar experience. Dudley is a Proud Alum of Virginia State University, Class of 1995, B.A., Economics and currently serves on VSU’s Hospitality Management Programs Advisory Board. And, in 2017, Dudley’s life came full circle, when he became Executive Chef/Co-Owner of City Table at the Farmers Market in Historic Old Towne, Petersburg, Virginia.

Rhonda Brown, Treasurer

Rhonda Brown is currently Director of Finance of Man Up! Inc. at 501c3 not for profit in East New York, Brooklyn. She is a graduate of Bernard Baruch College. Her firm R&B Accounting Services has been in business for over 20 years and is listed on the IRS website as program participant for their Annual Filing Season Program. After graduation Rhonda proceeded to work for Fortune 500 companies (Simon & Schuster,Colgate, PaineWebber) until her passion to help community based organizations outweighed the financial gains of Corporate America. R&B Accounting Services assists business with creating entities, tax preparation, payroll and implementation of accounting software.

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C.H.E.F in the News

8/14/2019

Executive Director Kimberly VanKline visits WJLA ABC 7 to discuss her passion for inspiring children through nutrition through Cook Healthy, Eat Fresh.

2/13/2019

Executive Director Kimberly VanKline visits Fox5DC to serve up a delicious (and healthy) Valentine's Day dinner and dessert and discuss the Cook Healthy, Eat Fresh initiative.

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