Kelly Liken, Sowing Seeds and Michelle Obama...oh my!

Children from Brush Creek Elementary in Eagle learning about
organic gardening as part of the VVF's Sowing Seeds education program.

I had the pleasure of dining at Restaurant Kelly Liken last night with Kristin, who is in charge of Summer Vail media relations. Neither of us had eaten there before, so we felt it was our duty to see what all the talk was about! Well, of course the food was delicious (that's a given), but what I was most impressed with was the knowledge and friendliness of the staff...from server Awesome Andy to Manager Rickilane, from the host who had our coats ready when we walked out, to the valet who warmed up our car, I was blown away with everyone's eagerness to help.

Especially impressive to me was how proud everyone is of Chef Kelly and her being part of the Vail community. So many items on the menu come from the Vail Valley and Andy (not knowing I'm part of the Vail Valley Foundation) told us all about the VVF's Sowing Seeds organic gardening program that Kelly is involved with at Brush Creek Elementary. I told him he was such a great ambassador and he then explained to me that it was because of Kelly's involvement with the schools that First Lady Michelle Obama chose to dine at Restaurant Kelly Liken a couple of weeks ago. 

I wish I could go back in time and have Andy interject to Mrs. Obama that four of our Celebrate The Beat kids (another VVF program) danced for her at the White House in September, as part of a tribute to Judith Jamison. I'm sure she hadn't made the connection, but I was reeling and quite proud to know our education initiatives have made such an impact at such a high level.

I look forward to seeing Kelly's career skyrocket - well deserved, to say the least. Here's an article from RealVail.com that announces her as a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award, and also makes mention of the Vail Valley Foundation, Sowing Seeds and Mrs. Obama's visit.

Cheers,
Shelley

Posted in: Celebrate the Beat,Education,Kelly Liken,Michelle Obama,Sowing Seeds,Vail Valley Foundation,vvf