At LIFT Enrichment, our team of over 250 chef teachers empowers kids across California and New York to love cooking and embrace healthy food choices. Today, we want to introduce one of the chef teachers who inspires the joy of cooking every day.
Meet Chef Myck LeMay, M.Ed.!
Chef Myck has been teaching over 200 LIFT Enrichment students in Southern California since 2023. No matter what surprises come up during class—including a curious coyote that put the campus on lockdown—Chef Myck carries on and makes cooking fun!
Here’s what he has to say about his journey with LIFT Enrichment:
Being a chef teacher with LIFT Enrichment this past year and a half has been an adventure.
I’m a transplant from rural Western Massachusetts, where I worked in nonprofit organizations and in public schools. I and my orange truck were recognizable in two counties over 1,200 miles wide, where I supported youth in many ways, from assisting with housing and serving as a leader of the Franklin County Pride parade to delivering farm-fresh local vegetables at Thanksgiving and engaging youth in coalitions.
Today, I load up the same orange truck and head to Southern California schools where I teach and serve 200 students healthy meals each week!
Connecting with young people lights me up. I make a difference by teaching students how to cook healthy meals for themselves. We roll with whatever happens—and serve up fun with the food always!
Here are three memorable moments from my teaching adventures:
Curious Coyotes on Campus!
It was a hot summer day during summer school. We were in the midst of cooking spinach quesadillas, keeping the doors open to allow the air to circulate. Suddenly a school staff member with a walkie-talkie came in, quietly closed both doors, and gestured to talk to me privately. They whispered, “We’re shut down. Everything’s ok—however, there are three coyotes on campus.”
I stayed calm, showed the class pictures of coyotes (which are very common in Western Massachusetts, where I live), and we agreed that they were not interested in our quesadillas. Thankfully the students (and our spinach quesadillas) were safe!
Mac and Cheese…and a Baby Tooth?!
On this memorable day, I was instructing students on setting up a service: you put the mac and cheese and broccoli first and then sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan. All of a sudden, I heard a PLOP!
“Is that your BABY TOOTH?!”
“Yup!” the student proudly exclaimed. I handed her a baggie for the baby tooth, sent her to wash her hands, and then set a new plate. Everyone else keeps dishing up mac and cheese—this time without any more loose teeth.
Tiniest Chef EVER!
In my classroom we have “Chef of the Day,” where students select a classmate who is a team leader and role model. Perks include getting to wear a black apron similar to mine along with getting extra portions of veggie fried rice.
On this particular day, the class of fourth graders and kindergarteners was rowdy. I suggested the Chef of the Day idea and asked how they wanted to choose the chef since it was our first session. All the students pointed at the smallest student in the class, her head just peeking over the top of the table. In unison they chanted, “Cooking with Chef Kia! Cooking with Chef Kia!”
The selection was made! Despite her apron dragging on the ground and her inability to reach the skillet, she remained unflappable, directing the students and assisting with cleanup. Chef Kia was a superstar!
What’s next for Chef Myck? It is guaranteed to be met with joy and fun!
If you want to bring our amazing chefs and healthy recipes to your students, book a meeting with our team!
Previous Blog Posts:
Healthy Easter-Themed Snacks Students Can Make with LIFT Enrichment English Muffins Recipe, We Turn Crispy Chicken into a Lesson in Nutrition, What You Need to Know About DYCD Grants for Afterschool Programs, 5 Simple Healthy Recipes Students Can Make at Home, 6 Ways Your School Can Use Grants to Fund Afterschool Programs