CAFETERIA CHEFS Remodeling America's School Lunches | Local Legends | Brad Leone
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- Опубліковано 25 лис 2024
- An Ode to Lunch Ladies and Lunch Gentlemen everywhere! On today’s episode of Local Legends we learn why a Michelin-Starred restaurant chef, Dan Giusti, left his job at one of the world’s best restaurants, NOMA in Copenhagen, to start cooking school lunches for kids.
He founded Brigaid in 2016, a company that connects chefs with institutional food programs like public schools and nonprofit private schools, to bring healthy, affordable, and delicious food to our growing kids across the country.
More about Brigaid: www.chefsbriga...
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/ dan.giusti
About 9 million kids in the US, or 1 out of every 8 kids, currently live in food-insecure households. If you're looking for ways to help, check out www.nokidhungry.org to donate or volunteer!
Many many thanks to the hardworking and dedicated team at CB Jennings Elementary who managed to get everything ready by lunch time even with us in the way:
Tina Bannister | Cafeteria Chef
Lei Lovendino | Cafeteria Cook
Kelly Avery & Eduardo Vitorino | Cafeteria Staff
Kevin Munday | Custodian
Samantha Wilson | Child Nutrition Director
Norma Delara | School Principal
Sean Brown | Assistant Principal
Alex Leigh | Brigaid Chef
Special thanks to Yeti for their support on this episode - they make some great lunchboxes if your kid's school doesn't make em quite as tasty as Lei and Tina!!
www.yeti.com/c...
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Don't forget to subscribe, ya turkeys 🦃 - / @bradleone
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www.bradleone.com
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Shot by: Ian Deveau & Hobson Feltus
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Edited by: Hobson Feltus
Produced by: Brad Leone, Carolyn Gagnon, Ian Deveau, and Hobson Feltus
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Local Legends and Makin' It Theme Music | Harrison Menzel
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Logo Design | Dylan Schmitz
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Thanks everyone for watching and for all of the kind words!
Love your work, very inspirational Dan! I've been working at a local bar for the past 10 years (sure as hell no NOMA), but I've always dreamt about giving back to the community like you; either through schools or for the homeless.
Show may be called Local Legends, but I hope it doesn't stay local.
Bless you brother! Keep kicking ass
You're a hero
Thank you for everything you do for the children
Been a fan of your work for a while. You are truly impacting so many lives for the better - a tasty, nutritional meal helps students succeed in school, and the ripples will go on forever!
👇Give a thank you and shout out to any lunch ladies/gentlemen, custodians, administrators, and other behind-the-scenes staff that made a difference to you in school or soon will ! ❤👇
Was smiling through this whole video Brad, thanks so much.
Good stuff brad I wish I grew up with cafeterias like this, also your son has a cool name
I remember my lunch chef who was in charge of feeding us every day. I loved him, but probably never truly appreciated all he did for all of us kids back then. Thank you for highlighting this oh so important job which doesn’t get enough credit
To the custodial staff at Margo elementary in weslaco, tx! Yall are the best making our kids laugh everyday with silly costumes! 🤪 puro 956!
One of the assistant principals at my old high school now runs a food review show on youtube under the title "Goodall's Country Kitchen" I actually use his reviews to find new places to eat around town.
As a former “free lunch” kid, this makes me want to cry. There were a lot of days the only meal I ate was at school & I loved the lunch ladies. Thank you all you do, just know you are making a big impact on these kids. ❤
I went here to write this same thing, from elementary school all the way through the end of highschool I was on reduced lunch which was only like $1 per day but even then most of the time my parents couldn't afford even that. Mom was always too embarrassed or prideful to receive or go through the process of getting on assistance like that... Over the years a peanut butter sandwich was my lifeblood
this is so badass!
Been following Brigaid for a few years now, they definitely deserve this exposure!
Cool to see you here! I absolutely loved this video as well. There was a news segment on the guy that started the program years back and I've been keeping up with it ever since.
Exposure? It's on his UA-cam channel not food network
@@MRblazedBEANS so?
@@MRblazedBEANS Video posted one day ago and has 50,000 views is exposure. Who the hell watches the Food Network nowadays?
@@MRblazedBEANS lol you clearly need to recalibrate your concept of exposure to meet the modern era
It's heartwarming to see a Michelin-Starred chef like Dan Giusti leave the glitz of NOMA to make a real difference in the lives of our children. With Brigaid, he's not just serving food; he's serving hope, health, and happiness. This story is a testament to the fact that passion and purpose can truly change the world. Kudos to the team behind this episode for shining a light on such an inspiring journey. Let's give our kids the best, one meal at a time!
I have been a cook and a (sous) chef for awhile. After 10+ years I treat it like skateboarding: I am pretty good. My friends are better. Any chance to chill (or film/sesh/whatever) is kind of an honor. Sometimes you just gotta shut up and learn. If I thought Brad/Chef gave a site, I would even add a link to my resume.
Just don't let me drink. I have driven myself into the ground with that lifestyle. I am at my (hopefully) lowest valley approaching my mid thirty year. Focus is prime. But actions are not. I need to fix that.
Thanks world. I try.
Z.C.N
Well said.
@@zacnoel2926 bro what the fuck are you talking about? Were you on the sauce while typing that too? Lmao
And @ 20k a year tuition I hope it’s good.
@@rmh2747 yeah I think a lot of these commenters are failing to notice this is a magnet school, not a public school. There's nothing wrong with what they're doing but it just really makes me sad that the scope of this program only encompasses rich kids. Hopefully this inspires other schools to break the mould of the prison food being fed to children
Shouts out to the cafeteria workers who are an integral part of a safe space for so many school kids!
absolutely! can't tell you how many times my lunch lady saw me sad in line and encouraged me to grab an extra snack. it's the little things!
You have to give it to the staff. they bring love and it shows how much the kids enjoy it. Not only the food, but the compassion they show to the kids. Great job ladies and gentlemen for making the kids be part of the decision what they want to eat.
"How long you worked here?" She was so excited to talk about her 5 years there. Totally lit up with joy. She clearly loves that kitchen.
Lei is amazing along with the rest of the staff!
Brad showing immense respect to the lunch ladies by saying “yes, chef” when they tell him to do something. My favorite part of the video.
I am a school lunch lady in Kentucky. Before there I was a prep cook at the fanciest steakhouse in town. I still use the tools I was taught to make the kids’ lunches look and taste good. I make a lot of salads and always take care to cut the vegetables nicely, arrange the toppings in neat rows, etc. If it LOOKS good, the kids will at least try it! It is SO rewarding. I work with high schoolers and truly enjoy seeing the students every day.
Thank you for doing so. When I was a kid I appreciated the fresh chicken salads and home made pizzas my lunch servers made at my school. Best part of the day. :)
Brad! You know I fucking love this! I have so much respect for the amazing work Dan does! Keep shining, Leone! 💚 #iloveit!
Thank you gabby! Your also a inspiration! Brad is amazing.
@@markohenk691 💚
miss watching you gaby just subbed to your youtube! your amazing!
@@PhilhellenicAgori, thank you! 💚
This needs to go nationwide.
Couldnt agree more. Dan has a great outlook on the entire thing
I cannot deal with how WHOLESOME this is. Big ups to all these folks.
This is so wonderful. I feel like my inner child is healing from this video. I was on the affordable lunch prices growing up and remember the lunches were subpar, so I stopped eating and developed an eating disorder at a very young age. Seeing this program makes me so happy. Thank you, Brad, for showcasing this program that promotes healthy and delicious meals. Big kudos to the workers by providing multiple choices so the kiddos can have autonomy.
I was lucky enough to be able to get free lunches when I was in school, and this just blows me away. Us kids in the early 2000s got an entrée tray covered in pre sealed plastic, a small tray of soggy flavorless veggies, and a milk, when they didn't run out.
I can't express how happy it makes me to see kids being fed like they matter. No more "ketchup and pizza sauce count as vegetables"
Same, I felt the love that the staff had towards the food they make and the kids they feed. It's amazing thank you for displaying this amazing program, needed throughout the country.
@@killerduckboy3 "Kids being fed like they matter" is such a perfect way of putting exactly how I felt watching this.
I really appreciate Dan's approach to "picky eaters." I grew up with, and still struggle with, texture issues. I can absolutely love a taste, but if the texture is off and reminds me of something else, my brain forces me to get rid of it. I've had to endure people calling me a child or immature for something that I wish I didn't have to deal with. How he says they don't have to get them today, there's always tomorrow, next week, next year etc. is a fantastic approach. He doesn't ridicule or force them and offers them something "basic". I've learned over the years how to get used to things or overcome textures and I think if I had a Dan in my life, I would be a lot farther along in my food journey. I also really appreciate his mission to make school lunches better.
this!!!!
I very much understand this. I have ADHD, and food texture is apparently a common issue for a lot of neurodivergent people. It can be a reason neurodivergent people are susceptible to eating disorders, and a program like this must be doing a great deal to encourage a healthy relationship with food. Koodos to Brigaid!
I recently discovered that I don't like foods that are soggy or not crispy. I don't like pancakes, French toast, untoasted white bread, dhokla( a Gujrati dish that has sponge like texture). I prefer foods that are crunchy. What food textures you don't like?
@@zahilakhan6496 I'm exactly like this but don't find those things soggy. But I have to chew & swallow quick because I can't handle sogginess just sitting in my mouth
@@zahilakhan6496 Unfortunately, a lot of my texture problems are with vegetable textures, which doesn't really help my case. If it's soggy but has a "pop" to it (things like bratwurst, some vegetables, etc.) or if it has "fibers" to close to each other and hard to chew (like steak).
My wife started running a kitchen for a local school this past year and the quality of the food she's putting out, for free, for every single kid blows my mind. this video was so cool.
That's amazing howndidnshe start running it? I have a 5 year old in kindergarten and want to improve the quality and taste of the food for health
I'm not sure why but I was teary eyed through this entire video. I wished someone cared as much about the food I ate in school as these wonderful people do. This is AMAZING.
This Is the feeling when real, enduring, positive changes show up in this troubled world
same this is wonderful
I’m with you! I wiped a few tears away. So wholesome and love how they’re playing a big part in these kids lives ♥️
leaving what was at the time often considered the highest-rated restaurant *on earth* to help feed kids is insanely admirable
This video really hit home for me. I started in fine dining, my head chef also worked at Noma, and it was great to see the creativity, I moved on to run my own restaurant, and it was good but still missing something. I now run a kitchen that feeds the school district in my city, and it's amazing cooking for 1100 kids a day. Hearing their feedback and helping to educate their pallets is such a fulfilling experience.
"Are you a youtube star" Brad says, "we'll see how it goes" lol the humility is world class man. Brad you're a legend. Despite BA's issues, your guys' videos and thanksgiving menu are some I come back to repeatedly
I was on free school lunch for my entire school career. I adored the hard working cafeteria staff, and the school's janitorial staff. That free lunch kept so much pressure off a single parent, and taught me the value of variety & learning how to be thrifty. From elementary to high school, if a kid wasn't eating, there was ALWAYS a sweet cafeteria lady who was willing to pay or "oops I dropped a whole meal imma klutz," to ensure those kids ate. I will never stop appreciating those workers. Thanks so much for the spotlight, Brad!
💜🙌🏽
I couldn't help but grin the entire video. Thanks for shining a light on people doing good for kids. This video provided a small glimmer of hope in a country so divided about such basic things like feeding children.
Lei is competence, humility, passion, and goodness in one awe-inspiring compact package. Lei is a beacon for humanity.
This is one of the best videos you’ve done, Brad. People under estimate how important this is for kids. My mom is an Italian immigrant, food was always very important, she would pack lunch for some of my friends too. Wish more chefs like Dan had this mindset.
The Midwest needs these amazing people so badly
I've worked in long-term care for years. I would LOVE to see a program like this in our nursing homes. Our elders also deserve to eat better than what they are currently being served in most facilities. Kudos to Lei and Brigade❤
As one of the people doing the serving of that food, I have to agree! The food is okay, but it can definitely be improved.
This made me tear up. Working in schools is so fulfilling, but so draining on a person. They deserve more for their work.
as a food service worker (yes, I'm a lunch lady)... even the director of food service in my school district has recognized that we are one of the hardest working and most underpaid departments. It's super sad that we make minimum wage and bust our butts as hard as we do. That said, I so love being able to interact with the kids everyday! Even if it is just a few seconds. I dont think many students know my name but when I see them in the community, they recognize me and say hi or "thats a lunch lady!"... It's the best :)
made me tear up too
Making me realize how much I truly adored my years as a "Lunch Lady."
This is an INCREDIBLE cause and initiative. What an absolute legend Dan is. The food system in the US is so messed up and it’s heartbreaking that every kid doesn’t have proper nutrition. I absolutely love this 😭
Oh man, I am so impressed. As a child of the 70’s this blows my mind! Kudos to all of these passionate people.
It's sad how poor quality food we feed our growing children in America. Thanks for the lovely video Brad
It wasn't bad in my school. The lunches we got were awesome. I even occasionally got fresh salads and soups. Kids fought to be first for the Asian chicken salad. We would get in trouble for running to line up.
20:35 hit me like a freight train... Food deserts and food scarcity is real. Shout out to Brad and everyone in the video for doing what they did here!
Dan Giusti and Brigaid are superheroes. Kids are the future and making sure they're well fed is so important to their health and education. A round of applause to everyone involved
Honestly one of my favorite channels as of late. The content is wholesome and everyone involved is having fun whilst making it. Kudos Brad and Crew!
As a peruvian, but not only that as an arequipeña, when I saw the solterito my heart melted ❤ specialy as a teacher I find this whole thing so soul lifting. I'm in love.
That chicken thigh marinade sounds so good!
"Lunch ladies" don't get the credit they deserve, and this program looks awesome! There are many things to improve in schools, and this is a good place to start.
When I get done crying, I might write a comment telling you how great Brigaid and how great this video is, Brad. Thank you.
Brad Leone.....salt of the earth. Keep on this good path. You are really doing a great job with your own channel.
I grew up in a small town in Northern Wyoming in the 70s. Our lunch ladies showed up to work each morning at 5 a.m.
All of our school lunches were homemade from scratch. I still remember the smell of fresh bread and rolls wafting through the Halls at school. One of my favorite school lunch days, was Wednesday "Chili and Cinnamon rolls" Yum 😋.
Brad, Connecticut loves you brotha, please keep coming back!
Hell yeah go Brad Leone and support from YETI! thats so cool.
Awesome! Do David Zilber next! It is refreshing to see people like Giusti, who were at the pinnacle of food culture, find a way to create a new summit.
I love how stoked everyone is for Mr. Brown’s announcements 😂😭
This is amazing. I cook 5 to 6 meals a week for dinner for my kids, but I wish I knew they were eating as healthy at school. Shout out to Brigaid dude, seriously!
Hello from a lunchlady! Thanks for bringing us a little representation!
As soon as the video started, I noticed the plates that were staggered and I immediately recognized why lol... The bowls are a pain to separate as well. Especially when you're on a time crunch!
I think Dan & Brigaid don’t get enough spotlight that they so deserve. Thank you for featuring him, Brad! ❤❤
As a mother of a child who thankfully is part of a program where she gets free breakfast and lunch; this is incredible ❤
I don't think I've ever smiled so big for 30 minutes straight but that was just such a wonderful experience to laugh with and learn about. Y'all are amazing people truly.
I love this episode. Genuinely cried. What a beautiful mission. Thanks for highlighting this amazing organization and the amazing superstar kitchen teams in these school cafeterias.
This is the wholesome content the world needs. Thanks Brad 🥹
Feeding kids is really really important. They deserve good healthy foods.
She’s got her own recipe out there across the districts 🙌🙌 THAT’S the kind of news I want to start hearing about! This was outstanding ❤
Oh Brad this is such a good episode.... I'm doing my masters in public policy right now and my research project was on How a Universal School Lunch Program can Improve Social Cohesion and all the facts point to it being one of the most worthwhile things we can do as a society. We need to make sure our children are fed well and their nutritional needs met. It's upsetting that there's red tape stopping these kids even taking home leftovers but even one good nutritional meal per day is a win.
One of the lunch ladies at my school was one of my friends grandma and she would always sneak me and a few others homemade deer or beef jerky on our trays at school. It was a small school and underfunded but the cafeteria staff did the absolute best they could and were amazing. After working in restaurants for years I will always respect any school caf worker and what all they have to do and deal with.
I need a school for my kids with a kitchen staff that care this much, and these recipes
I love how exited Dan got when that kid said sweat glazed carrots. He was like, “see they’re learning!” 😂
The best job I ever had was working in the lunch room at Hudson Elementary School feeding the younger kids in the 80s. It made me feel wonderful, helpful and useful.
I've followed Brad's work for years & this might be the single most heartwarming video to date. What a phenomenal program they're running, an entirely different meaning to the term "lunch-Lady" I would've loved lunches like this when I was in school.
Phenomenal stuff. Thanks for bringing these people to the forefront, Brad, they are some of the most important people in the world.
Also, Lei is the most adorable lady ever.
I used to be a school cop/resource officer. Kids are so pure and innocent. It was the worst paying job i had, but the one that left me most satisfied a the end of the day. Amazing job Brad, Giusti and staff. 👏
Like this video. I work at a University kitchen as a Action Cook in front of the students and I couldn’t describe it more perfectly than having the busiest restaurant rush all the time every day. We need more cooks and chefs in this section of food industry.
Thank you to all of the tireless food service workers in our schools. Thanks to Dan Giusti for creating this project and spreading his knowledge in such an impactful way. And thanks to Brad Leone for highlighting this effort. This is something everybody can get behind - feed our nation's youth and nourish the brighter tomorrow! Much love, TM
1963-rural Ohio- The cooks in our schools were farming women who canned, pickled, froze and preserved their garden produce. Our cooks made all our meals from scratch, just like these cooks. All schools need this and the folks in the community can do it.
When they were talking about all the requirements, made me think of how cooking is an art, and the quote "The enemy of art is the absence of limitation." and how limitations can help elevate art...which these chefs do in school kitchens.
I thought you got the quote backwards, but then I thought about it, and I got it!
One of the coolest cooking videos I've seen in a while. As a fledgling chef, I definitely hope to do some meaningful cooking that makes an impact like this. This'll be one of those videos I think back on a lot, I can already tell.
Just check out how Japanese schools operate, and you will be amazed at the quality and healthy meals they serve. They also include the students in prominent roles so they gain responsibility, although they do not do the cooking of course. There is a YT video on this with a quick search.
This is a great series and glad that they are taking the time to do this.
This warmed my heart. I wanna work for Brigaid!
Thank you so much lunch ladies all around the world I'm not not crying❤
Huge shoutout to the cafeteria staff that strives to serve their kids good food instead of heat & serve food out of a bag. Thank you Brad for highlighting them!
My Nana was a lunch lady!
Kudos too lunch Gents and ladies🎉
Thanks Brad very important People!
JO JO IN VT 💞
Wasn't expecting to get teared up but man I just love what y'all are doing for the communities and kids out there. Food is such a beautiful thing to bring people together and I'm glad Dan was able to find a foothold in that. Mad respect to all our school lunch providers out there.
The positive and truly collaborative atmosphere in this kitchen is so inspiring. Brigaid and the kitchen staff they support rock and I appreciate this channel for letting them shine! An example for us all.
I've been a huge Brad fan for years, but I'll admit I was starting to lose interest in some of the recent uploads to this channel. But this one right here, wow! This was personal, emotional, informative, raised awareness for a great cause, and above all else let Brad shine as an entertainer. More local legend topics like this one, please!
Those kids are eating better than most adults I know. Good on them for making healthy lunches that are approachable
Omg Brad was easily my favorite from the Bon Appetite for how positive attitude. I love seeing him branch off. This series is beautiful.
Thanks for highlighting this brad. All school lunches should be free and like this. Made from scratch. I would work in a school kitchen too.
D: A WHOLE CHANNEL JUST FOR BRAD LEONENÉ!? Just what I needed!!
We need this in every school in every district in the US.
This is amazing! Much better school lunches than I grew up with and I was told I had great lunches, my school district had okay funding, I can only imagine what the kids in the underfunded do tricks were eating. We used to have options of pb& j, canned soup, brown wilted salad or “hot lunch” which was whatever they were serving that day. If you weren’t on the free lunch program and couldn’t afford your food they wouldn’t give you any of those and instead you’d get a cold cheese sandwich. That was tough usually the holidays were cheese sandwich lunches for us but hey 🤷🏻♂️
I LOVE DAN. I remember seeing him featured on CBS a few years back and have never forgotten this mans dedication to this incredible mission. School lunches in most of America are absolutely unacceptable. Soda, fast food, ice cream and candy does not belong in the school cafeteria period. The sad truth is that school districts are heavily subsidized by Pepsi Co. and other corporations that profit on selling poison to our young folks. Thank you Dan for making this your lifes mission, and I hope this inspires many others to follow in your footsteps.
Respect to everyone in lunch lady land❤ My Grandmother was a lunch lady. Some of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet. They take care of the most important people in the world..our future..our kiddos🥰
If more content creators are involved in making the improvement in our community, the world would be a better place for the next generation ❤
Brigaid / Dan Giusti is the best culinary thing I've experienced on UA-cam since Brad Leone!
Those schools cooks and servers are heroes for feeding the future generation healthy life sustaining food - real food and not junk full of sugar. I salute your hard work and dedication. And to the Filipina chef - I am proud of you. As a fellow Pinay, you have shared your heart with these children and they will always remember the taste of adobo. Nothing like it. God Bless. ❤
Someone cuttin onions in here bud?
I went hungry pretty often as a kid, really makes me happy knowing there are people out there doing something about it. Particularly the approach to the "picky" eaters.
Brad's a sweetheart, too
I am so onboard with this! Everyone, no matter what age deserves good food.
In Finland we pride our school lunches. And I can tell you how meaningful that one goo a day can be.
These videos only prove how under utilized Brad was at BA. Keep going, Leone!
This is so amazing to see that school lunches in America are finally getting up to par with lunches from the rest of the world. The kids deserve it, amazing work!
The positivity, care, humility, and all around lightheartedness... Everything about this video had me grinning from ear to ear 😊
Thanks for shining a light on these amazing people bringing light to the world ❤
My kid goes to a magnet school in new London. Can confirm they eat good food - way better than what we got as kids haha
Just one word comes to mind "Beautiful"!!!
“Always think positive! You can taste it!” Manang Lei is the best ❤
Brad really in his element. Also. chicken goddamn adobo from scratch at school lunch? These people deserve a standing ovation.
I'd love this to get implemented into other schools across the country!!! Kids need this and look how happy and proud all the folks working to make this happen are! ❤
This brought Tears to my eyes. Thank you for improving the World. I hope stuff like this can happen around the world soon.
Great job you guys!! I’m so touched, my two kids are growing up in the public school system in NYC and I must say the lunches unfortunately are not appetizing at all. Most kids take home lunch which on some days some of us can’t afford it. I can say my kids might enjoy one item from the weekly menu, in High Schools the lunch is even less appealing, substantial and no option. It requires more money to spend in order to provide lunch for a very hungry teenager from home or cash to buy something at dismissal so they don’t pass out until making it home. I would love to see this program or at least a try out for our kids in Manhattan. Would like to thank you again, also for the program getting to a nursing home. My husband has been in a nursing for five years in Manhattan I’m curious to find out which one. My husband has been on a feeding tube but I’m glad our folks get to enjoy a yummy meal. It’s something they probably look forward to with excitement every day. I am currently living in a shelter in Harlem, I would love to volunteer if ever needed a hand. Blessings!
every .single. episode. Local Legends and Makin It, you are on a roll with the new seriesizuz. .Keep this stuff comin, sir!
"Don't ever think you're above any job." So true. I have learned so much from doing the job itself, the systems involved, the work ethic, and the people I work with. Thank you Brad for sharing.
I take back my comment from the last video. This is THE BEST VIDEO EVER! with some of the MOST AMAZING set of people. 🤩💖
I had to split this in two cause I could not handle all the positive emotions. Hope I can use what I learned here. Thank Brad, Crew, and everyone.