Celebrity Chef Turns Good Samaratin

by Tarin Finley Photo Credit(s): Ciara Smith/Howard University News Service The D.C. Central Kitchen prepares and delivers 5,000 meals a day for the citys homeless and residents in need. The man who sets menus and supervises food preparation at the kitchen holds a title rare among charities. He is Celebrity Chef Rahman Rock Harper. Harper earned the Celebrity Chef moniker after winning the third season of the Fox Network reality show Hells Kitchen, hosted by world-renowned Chef Gordon Ramsey in 2007. Before going on the show, he served as chef at Bens Next Door on U Street NW and B. Smiths at Union Station. His victory on Hells Kitchen came by conquering challenges and overcoming obstacles during a stretch of 30 strenuous days, Harper says. Five years have passed, and Harper has undertaken many projects since his victory. I chose to put my focus here to show thatthis is an avenue that [celebrity chefs] can take, Harper says. As director of kitchen operations of DCCK, Harper oversees the operations, systems and preparation of food that D.C. Central Kitchen produces. He makes sure that 5,000 meals are prepared and delivered daily.