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 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
Read More >>January 9, 2017
By PilotLight
2016 food trends we will miss
By Brenna O’Dea Kale popcorn I am just as surprised to be writing this as you are to be reading it. Why would we take something as classic and fool proof as popcorn and ruin it with kale?? I love a good kale salad as much as the next healthy foodie, but must we put
Read More >>December 19, 2016
By PilotLight
Gingerbread, Gingerbread, Gingerbread Rock
By Brenna O’Dea CHRISTMAS IS SO CLOSE WE CAN ALMOST TASTE IT. Let’s be honest here, Christmas dinner can be delicious, but we all know what the true meaning of Christmas is…COOKIES. For Santa or for yourself, baking holiday treats can bring friends and family together from all rooms of the house and all corners
Read More >>December 14, 2016
By PilotLight
“Guts and everything”: Meet Matthias Merges
By Brenna O’Dea I recently had the chance to chat with one of our founders and absolute favorite chefs of Chicago, Matthias Merges. Where to begin…A10, Billy Sunday, Finch Beer Co. AND Finch Kitchen, Yusho Chicago AND Hyde Park…if you have not yet experienced a meal at one of his many gems, stop reading right now,
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