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As our organization doubles in size, we are featur

As our organization doubles in size, we are featuring the wonderful new faces of WITS making change every day in schools. Today, meet WITS Chefs Luis Rivera and Robert Tinelli!

“I’m WITS Chef Luis, and right now I’m working at PS 58 in the Bronx. I love working as a WITS Chef because it allows me to “give back” by sharing my knowledge and experience with others. I also love that I can have a direct impact on the lives of students in my own community that are growing up facing the same challenges I did. Before WITS, I worked as a Hotel Cook at The New York Marriott Marquis, a NYC School Food Service Manager, and an Executive Chef at Sunrise Senior Living. I currently own and operate a seasonal mobile barbecue business that also produces sauces commercially. My favorite food is meatloaf, which I love to eat with Puerto Rican Style Yellow Rice with Corn & Avocado on the side; it is a childhood favorite and reminds me of my Mom. Outside of work, I enjoy watching baseball or boxing, & spending time with my family. I have to say that my favorite moment as a WITS Chef so far was earlier this week, when an elementary student recognized me and gave me a hug in the cafeteria; she thanked me for helping her at the salad bar! Priceless!”

“I am Rob Tinelli and I’m a WITS Chef, currently in P.S. 195 and P.S. 197 in Queens. I love that I work with two Cooks-in-Charge who share my passion for teaching kids to eat healthy, fresh, delicious food, not only in school but at home as well. Before joining WITS, I was the Chef/Manager in a corporate cafeteria where I tried teaching the adults to eat healthier, too. Personally, I love fresh, authentic Mexican and Italian food. My love for fresh, culturally diverse cuisine is a big part of why I love what we as a Chefs in the Schools team have set out to accomplish. Outside of work, I love to travel and spend time with my family. No. Really. Even my kids. My favorite in-school moment came when my cook, Sharon, told my manager that she wasn’t giving me back. That feeling of making an impact on someone’s life. That’s just the best. Long story short, I love what I do and why I am here!”

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with WITS Chef

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with WITS Chef Kisha, who’s making a Cassava (Yuca) dish here. She demonstrates preparing mashed yuca as part of a balanced dish that reflects her Puerto Rican heritage. Swipe for the delicious recipe!

Filmed on A Bite of Wellness, a cooking and nutrition education show directed by Ricardo Díaz, WITS Program Manager/Chef/RDN. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US9cthPpcfY

#wellnessintheschools #cookforkids #feedkidsrealfood #chef #cooking #food #hispanicheritagemonth #cassava

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