Local Culinary Students Treat Families Of VA Hospital Patients

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Chef Jeremy Reed teaches in the culinary school at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

But Tuesday morning, he and his students are on the road, serving families of hospitalized veterans at the Fisher House in Oakland.

"We're the only Fisher House in Pennsylvania," says house manager Heather Frantz.

She says Fisher Houses, located near Veterans Hospitals nationwide, were founded by the late Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher. She adds that families are allowed to stay in one of 10 rooms for free, during visits.

"The requirements to stay here are that the veterans receiving in-patient care over at the VA here in Pittsburgh or that the VA's paying for, and the family must live more than fifty miles away from the facility," Frantz said.

For families, it's a luxurious taste of home. Speaking of which, the three chefs are adding the final touches.

"It's a wonderful privilege," Chef Reed says, "because you get a chance to cook for the families of great American heroes. I mean, people who put it all on the line."

The Fisher House in Oakland has hosted 900 families in less than two years of existence. But none of those families got to enjoy a gourmet lunch like this.

"It's refreshing, you know, kind of breaks up the monotony of being at the hospital all day," says Rob Miller, whose father is in intensive care.

Joan Messenger, whose husband is also hospitalized, agrees.

"It's really nice to have a break to just set and relax and eat the good food," Messenger said.

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