What started out as his love for food has blossomed into his calling.
In his own family, Chef Bryce Fluellen has seen loved ones suffer from strokes and heart attacks, so he decided that he wanted to be part of the solution. As the first culinary expert for the American Heart Association (AHA), Chef Bryce is an instructor/educator for AHA's Cook with Heart Los Angeles, South L.A., East L.A., Long Beach and Santa Ana youth programs for students in grades 3-12.
“Kids are falling in love with fresh, whole foods and the thing is to teach them the importance of eating it and how to prepare it.”
“I learn so much from the kids every day and it was unexpected. I didn’t think about it and it’s just so many things that they teach me not only the kids, but the parents, etc. I always tell people if you want to learn something you have to get in and be a part of it and be in the community and not just research. Research is fine and research has its place, but nothing replaces hands-on experience,” says the chef.
Chef Bryce, originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, started working in various restaurants as a waiter while in college. His love grew for the industry and he was able to hone his management skills by working under multiple chefs. After graduating from Chef Eric's Culinary School of French Cuisine.
Previously, Chef Bryce worked with Magic Johnson and managed partnerships with Starbucks, T.G.I.Friday's, Loew's Theatres, Target and more. He also serves as a member of the LA Food Policy Council proving that he's committed to making a change in his community. With AHA, Chef Bryce is making a huge impact on the youth.
“We’ve had a wonderful response. I’ve never had a school that doesn’t come back. The program is six weeks, once a week for 90 minutes. Oftentimes the kids want it to be longer.”
"I asked the older kids why they wanted to learn how to eat healthy and cook. One girl said she had an older brother and she wanted be able to have some recipes and some skills to help him out so he could live a healthier life. Or I've heard 'My parents work two and three jobs, I’m taking care of my brothers and sisters and I want to be able to prepare something for them while my parents are working.'"
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Chef Bryce explained, "There are all these different things that come of it that you never even think about until you’re doing it. You think about the food piece, but for me the food is just the vehicle for so many other things."
Speaking of food being a vehicle, Chef Bryce has a book that's worth checking out.
A Vehicle for Healing: The Fruitful Journey Part 1 is Chef Bryce's first book. It contains a combination of original recipes and inspiring personal stories that illustrate the healing and connecting spirit of food. To learn more about the book, click here: https://www.createspace.com/6807873
