A Breakfast Worth Roaring About

The latest Cookin’ Up Breakfast at Chefs for Kids was a morning full of energy, culture, and community spirit thanks to the incredible support of Hospitality Culinaire Inc.

As the culinary sponsor, Hospitality Culinaire prepared and served a free, healthy breakfast to more than 300 students and staff at Matt Kelly Elementary School. A family-owned company that operates Jamba Juice locations inside Harry Reid International Airport, their team brought both heart and flavor to this special event.

Matt Kelly Elementary is always one of our most lively breakfasts. Music fills the air as students sing and dance their way into the day. But this time, the celebration reached a whole new level.

Held during the first week of Lunar New Year, the morning featured a vibrant cultural experience, highlighted by a traditional Lion Dance performed by The Lohan School of Shaolin. Students not only witnessed the performance but learned about its history and meaning.

The celebration began with the ceremonial “awakening” of the lions on stage, led by Mike Ty of Hospitality Culinaire and Principal Hall. 

From there, the lions made their way into the cafeteria, weaving through the crowd as students cheered with excitement. Many eagerly shared their red envelopes (symbols of good fortune) with the lions. 

The performance concluded back on stage with the traditional offering of lettuce, which the lions shredded and tossed back to the crowd as a symbol of luck and prosperity.

The menu reflected the festive occasion, featuring a specially curated spread: a custom Jamba açaí bowl created just for Chefs for Kids, a Jamba Classic Sandwich, spring rolls with plum sauce, fresh Cutie oranges, and a take-home snack. To complete the celebration, each student received a red envelope with a chocolate gold coin, symbolizing wealth, health, and happiness in the year ahead.

It was truly an all-hands-on-deck morning. Board member Steve Garnett rolled up his sleeves (literally!) while nutrition educator Ms. Momii joined the serving line to ensure every child received a nourishing meal.

We are deeply grateful to the Ty family and the entire Hospitality Culinaire/Jamba Juice team for their continued commitment to Chefs for Kids and the students we serve.

This event is part of our Cookin’ Up Breakfast initiative, where each partner school receives a free, healthy breakfast once a year, prepared and served by professional chefs from across Southern Nevada alongside our partners at ACF Chefs Las Vegas. Local businesses and volunteers help bring it all together, setting up, serving, and creating a memorable experience for every child.

You can be part of mornings like this.

Join us as a culinary partner or make a donation today to help us continue fueling students with the nutrition and experiences they deserve. Together, we can create brighter mornings and brighter futures for kids across our community.