Welcome to Pilot Light’s Feeding Minds blog! Here, we get to tell the story of Food Education through in-depth stories from our classrooms, partnership spotlights, new program announcements, and opinion pieces from guest authors and the Pilot Light team. Join us in exploring the power of food to connect, excite, and empower us to build a better future together.
February 27, 2017
By PilotLight
Soup with the Stars
By Brenna O’Dea You may not have tuned in to the red carpet as the sun was rising and scheduled your entire Sunday around every pre-pre-pre-Oscar party program comin’ at ya live from Hollywood, but chances are you caught at least a lil’ bit of the action. And let me tell you, there was ACTION.
Read More >>February 22, 2017
By PilotLight
Valentine’s Day Detox
By Brenna O’Dea The Dark Side of the Moon Am I seriously about to tell you that it’s okay to keep eating chocolate after Valentine’s Day?? YES I AM. ABSOLUTELY. What’s the catch, you ask? GO DARK. Dive into that dark chocolate bar and enjoy an antioxidant boost without the sugar crash later. Try out
Read More >>February 20, 2017
By PilotLight
Monday Meet n’ Greet: Chef Paul Kahan
By Brenna O’Dea Chicago chef, Pilot Light cofounder, James Beard Award Winner, and all around good guy, Paul Kahan brings big flavor and big fun to everything he does here at Pilot Light and beyond. Today, he inspires young minds to cook and create magic in the kitchen and classroom…but let’s go back to where
Read More >>February 13, 2017
By PilotLight
Eat, Play, Love
By Brenna O’Dea Put the tablet away, it’s time to play. I’m not talking about the latest app or the most recent update on Angry Birds (is that game even cool anymore?). I’m talking about real life, hands on stuff. The good stuff. The creative stuff. The stuff that I, a millennial, used to do
Read More >>February 7, 2017
By PilotLight
All About Ayurveda
By Brenna O’Dea Let’s take a trip back in time to ancient India, where Ayurvedic healing practices first began. To understand Ayurveda you must understand two things: your body and your mind. Through Ayurveda we learn that the body and the mind are completely intertwined and in order to be our best selves, we must
Read More >>January 26, 2017
By PilotLight
On Empathy, Good Food, and the Obama Legacy
by Jason Hammel At the beginning of the Obamas’ first term in office a group of Chicago chefs found ourselves around a long table at a friend’s restaurant after-hours. A few of us had recently been invited to the White House Lawn where the new First Lady captivatingly called upon us to get involved
Read More >>January 25, 2017
By PilotLight
Let the Beet Drop
By Brenna O’Dea Beets hold a special place in my heart. I remember the first day I learned of the existence of this magnificent vegetable and sunk my teeth into my first bite of pure joy. Okay, it’s not like beets are comparable to chocolate soufflé or anything, but they sure are sweet, and believe
Read More >>January 23, 2017
By PilotLight
Monday Meet n’ Greet: Ms. Kristie Friar
By Brenna O’Dea Here at Pilot Light, we work with some pretty wonderful people. From the old to the young, the executive chef to the elementary eater, we are grateful to them all. There is one group of individuals in particular however, whom rarely get the public recognition they deserve. We talk about them and the incredible work
Read More >>January 16, 2017
By PilotLight
Pizza with a Purpose
By Brenna O’Dea Do you like pizza?? Silly question. Of course you do. And if you don’t…well we can talk about those strange circumstances later. For the pizza lover in all of us, we are THRILLED to bring you our collaboration with Piece Brewery & Pizzeria, Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Doug Sohn of Hot Doug’s,
Read More >>January 13, 2017
By PilotLight
2016 food trends we won’t miss
By Brenna O’Dea LaCroix First of all, this barely even count as a “food trend” because, well, it’s not food. I just cannot help myself. I must address the Croix Craze. The product is not new. The brewing began back in 1981 in a state that I certainly have a soft spot for, Wisconsin. I wish
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