Written byDante B, Yelp Buffalo Community Coordinator

There has always been a partial narrative that eating healthy is often equipped with a pricier tag. The “Healthy Options” program by Independent Health foundation helps to facilitate healthier eating options by bringing awareness to better food choices within the community. Yelp Buffalo and Independent Health Foundation collaborated for an event that provided our Yelp Elite with an inside look on cooking options that are not only great for you, but budget friendly as well. All while doing it in style at the beautiful Artisan Culinary Loft at Artisan Kitchen and Baths.

Chef Andy Ruszczyk, co-owner ofRu’s Pierogi, showcased how simple creating a healthy meal can be. Chef Andy supplied our Yelp Elite with a delicious and creamy tomato bisque soup topped with parsley and Parmesan cheese. The Elites then dispersed into cooking stations where they were in charge of cooking an ingredient in which would be utilized for the dinner special. Everything from roasted eggplant, pierogis, freshly made tzatziki sauce, and chicken were being made from scratch as the Yelp Elite banded together to finalize this incredible dish. After dinner, Chef Andy shared how he came into stardom all while simultaneously preparing desert: A baked pear drizzled in honey and topped with pecans and cranberries. It was very impressive – both Chef Andy’s rise to pierogi prominence and the dessert.

To learn more about events, cooking classes, and restaurants participating in Independent Health Foundation’s “Healthy Options” program, you can visit themhere. Make sure you check out thephotos and reviewsfrom the event!