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D.C. Chef Honored for Dedication to Ending Childhood Hunger
R.J. Cooper, III Named Share Our Strength's Chef of the Year
Share Our Strength recognized Washington, D.C. Chef R.J. Cooper, III at its Leadership Awards ceremony October 19 in Washington, D.C.
Cooper was named 2008 Chef of the Year for his extraordinary contributions to Share Our Strength's fight to end childhood hunger in Washington, D.C. and nationwide. This year, Cooper participated in nearly every Share Our Strength program including:
- Four Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation events
- Two Share Our Strength's A Tasteful Pursuit dinners
- Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale,
- Share Our Strength's Great American Dine Out
Cooper is the Executive Chef at Vidalia restaurant and has been involved with Share Our Strength since he graduated from culinary school 20 years ago. In 2009, Cooper will chair the Taste of the Nation Culinary Council, a group of six passionate chefs and mixologists supporting Taste of the Nation efforts to end childhood hunger in a myriad ways.
Share Our Strength's Conference of Leaders is an annual event that brings together more than 300 community leaders from across the United States to share ideas and recognize outstanding achievements in the fight to end hunger. The conference featured presentations by Food Network star and cookbook author Sandra Lee, political correspondent George Stephanopoulos, and nationally recognized hunger experts.
