Chef's Corner: Homeless Chef

CHICAGO, Ill. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It's the holidays and we all want to give what we can. One woman turned her passion for food into a way to help the homeless.

French-trained chef Mary Ellen Diaz traded in four-star restaurants for a small café of her own. She still makes the same amazing meals. But instead of cooking them for food critics and wealthy patrons, her new customers are homeless.

"Everybody loves a good meal. You don't lose your palate once you end up on the street," Diaz told Ivanhoe.

Her café raises money and awareness for her mission and each week 700 of her meals are served in churches and centers.

She begins by slicing and pounding pork seasoned with salt, basil and pepper. The vegetable stuffing is made with one onion and red pepper, mushrooms and half a zucchini. Don't forget the garlic.

Sautee the veggies and half a cup of grated mozzarella. After it's stuffed, roll it and wrap it with four strips of bacon. Add half a cup of barbeque sauce and bake.

While the pork is cooking slice up a pound of red potatoes and season with salt, lemon pepper, paprika and garlic salt.

A meal worthy of a fancy restaurant, for some very appreciative diners.

"Food has a real power to help people. So we're certainly trying to change lives through wonderful comfort food," said Diaz. Or at least provide comfort through food.

If you would like more information, please contact:

http://www.firstslice.org