Chef Dan Giusti, founder of Brigaid and former Head Chef of the world-renowned restaurant, Noma in Copenhagen, will keynote the United Fresh Start Foundation’s FreshStart 2019 Breakfast General Session on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, CA. The program is focused on how the produce industry increases children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables, in schools, in communities, and through our own businesses.
Chef Giusti said he began Brigaid to change the narrative surrounding good meals for kids at school. Brigaid strives to make more delicious meals for students and improve the dining experience by bringing trained chefs into school cafeterias.
“We are working hard to change the perception of school food and also what it means to be a chef in a school,” said Chef Giusti. “We view the idea of running a food service operation in a school just the same as we would in a restaurant. From the sourcing of quality ingredients, to the thoughtful preparation and service of customer appropriate meals, there’s no reason that food purveyors and chefs alike should not be striving to elevate the standard of food offered in schools.”
Since 2016, Brigaid has operated in the six public schools of New London, Connecticut, serving scratch-made breakfasts, lunches, and suppers to almost 4,000 students each day. As of 2018, Brigaid also has partnered with New York City Public Schools to begin service in six schools in the Bronx.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Chef Giusti was the Head Chef at Noma, where for 4 years he contributed to the restaurant’s consistent status as the best restaurant in the world.
“It’s exciting to learn that Chef Giusti’s passions align with our own,” said Phil Muir, President & CEO, Muir Copper Canyon Farms, and Chairman, United Fresh Start Foundation Board of Trustees. “I’m encouraged by the work he’s doing in schools and by his influence on the culinary career path of future chefs!”
For more information:
Mary Coppola
United Fresh Produce Association
Tel: +1 (202) 303-3425
mcoppola@unitedfresh.org
www.unitedfresh.org