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Famed chef Michael Symon invited Korpers to Mabel's BBQ to nourish kids' interest in cooking: A Greater Cleveland By Leila Atassi
As an avid lover of food, I’m always interested to explore the various new restaurants and cuisines present all throughout Cleveland. Michael Symon is arguably the most famous chef from the area. He recently invited an underprivileged Cleveland family, the Korpers, to experience his newest restaurant Mabel’s BBQ behind the scenes, after he learned that the two boys of the family, King and Princeton, enjoy cooking. Although Symon could not personally attend, chef Brad Ball, led the family on a tour of the restaurant. They explored both the smoke room and the kitchen. Both boys, and their sisters, Queen Ona and Princess, drill the chef with many questions. He answers all of them thoroughly, except when Queen Ona asks for Symon’s secret ingredient! After enjoying a lavish meal, Princeton, the oldest son, begins to question the bill, showing the common thoughts impoverished children have everyday. Fortunately, Symon was kind enough to pay for the meal, putting Princeton’s mind at peace for one night. Michael Symon’s generosity towards the Kroper family was really remarkable. It was very nice of him to give lower class children the opportunity to explore an area of interest, cooking. I have ate at two of his restaurants, Lola and The B Spot, and both dining experiences have been amazing. I will never forget the delicious and juice turkey avocado burger I had at The B Spot. Looking past the food, this articles also highlights large number of families who live in poverty in inner city Cleveland. Those of us who live in Cleveland’s suburbs may not notice the hardship that many families face. My parents, however, work in impoverished areas and witness the violent realities that many of Cleveland’s residents face. Programs like A Greater Cleveland, which first introduced Symon to the Kropers, help to improve the quality of life for lower class residents and give underprivileged children opportunities to succeed in the future.
3 Comments
Elena R.
12/19/2017 01:57:07 pm
I personally love these kinds of stories. It makes me happy to see someone so kind as to help out a struggling family. I also find this crucial because of the boys' shared interest in cooking. This is a major experience that will help them develop their love of cooking. Doing stuff like this and getting the kids involved and interested is what helps nurture a hobby that might even turn into a career! It is good to see the kids asking so many questions and wanting to know everything about the smoker and kitchen. I don't really think a lot of people realize what the living conditions are for these kids, they just figure that it's not great, so when they mentioned that the family was living in a "cockroach-infested unit" that was "impoverished" and "violent". I can assure you that after watching a few episodes of Hoarders, you do not want a cockroach problem. This really opened my eyes a bit as to how these people are living and how an experience like this can really help a family out. I'm so happy to see that such a well-know chef would be willing and ready to help a family, and nurture the kids' love of cooking.
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Daphine C
12/19/2017 04:34:45 pm
It was incredibly heartwarming to read about such a benevolent and thoughtful man encouraging and serving a lower class family! Symon's assistance in sparking King and Princeton's beloved interest certainly brought a smile to my face. As a middle class child, opportunities are very frequent for me to develop aspirations, and I appreciate A Greater Cleveland for their generosity towards the disadvantaged. The Kroper family's struggle and Princeton's occasional purchases reveals the pain of poverty and obstructions of happiness which lower class families often encounter. Princeton's hesitation and consideration for the bill struck a tenderly painful and affectionate mood for the thirteen year old, who's selflessness produced a tinge of guilt in my reflection of myself as an inconsiderate thirteen year old. The conditions of their unfortunate housing was distressing for a family of five, and I am elated by the chances which these programs offer; the humanitarian compassion of A Greater Cleveland sparks a determination for support and awareness of the poor in myself as a reader.
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Alena M.
12/20/2017 06:03:53 am
This is such an amazing article! Michael's act of kindness is so good to hear about, since he is helping the underprivileged children carry out their dreams. I hope Princeton and King are able to better their lives through this experience and work hard for their passion. I have also been to his restaurant Lola, and the food was amazing. I bet the boys were elated to go on the tour and see all of the behind the scenes of his operation. I would have been so excited too! It is always so uplifting to see a celebrity, like Michael, acknowledge the people that look up to them but may not be a fortunate. He really is helping improve for a "Greater Cleveland." Such a touching article.
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