Just Call Us Volunteers President, Chef Julie Darling, to the White House

Our very own Chef Julie Darling, Founder and President of “Just Call Us Volunteers” will be attending the First Lady Michelle Obama’s South Lawn Series kick-off of “Chefs Move to Schools” initiative on June 4, 2010.

Nina Garin’s article from Sunday, May 29th edition of the Union Tribune:

Chef, food stylist part of Obama nutrition push

Two local food professionals are on their way to the White House.

Thanks to their volunteer efforts at Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center in National City, Julie Darling and Marie Kelley were picked to attend the launch of Michelle Obama’s new initiative, “Chefs Move to Schools.”

Part of the first lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign, this latest program kicks off Friday and pairs chefs with area schools to teach kids about nutrition and cooking. Darling and Kelley will be among the White House guests to offer input about the rollout of the program.

“I’m a big fan of what the first lady is doing with kids and I’m honored to be included in this,” said Darling, while in the middle of making succotash from ingredients grown at Olivewood.

Darling, a caterer and personal chef, volunteers 20 hours a week at Olivewood, an organic garden and kitchen facility that has been adopted by the philanthropic group Les Dames d’Escoffier. Every day, a local chef teaches Olivewood Elementary School kids how to plant, compost and cook meals made from fresh ingredients.

Kelley, who is on the international board of Les Dames d’Escoffier and is a food stylist, has been working since the early 1990s on the issue of food reform in schools. This is her second trip to the White House.