First appeared on FOX: A personal chef for a famous Hollywood family reveals clever ways to incorporate healthy foods into daily meals — especially for young kids who are becoming more and more curious about food and need some smart guidance.
Chef Christiane Oui, better known as Chef K, is the personal chef for the Kardashians and other celebrity families in Southern California.
Speaking on camera with Fox News Digital from her Los Angeles home this week, she spoke about healthy choices, healthy thinking and a new salad dressing, a collaboration with Health Nuts, that puts a fresh twist on modern topping options. (See the video at the beginning of this article.)
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The salad dressings come in four flavors – Original House Blend, Sesame, Spicy Asian and Ranch – all fresh and flavorful, and Health Nuts also offers low-calorie options.
“This is a must-have on everyone’s shelf,” she said, emphasizing how “easy” it is to use the dressing to freshen up your salads, flavors and tastes. “You can make your own ‘Shake Shake Shake’ salad in the comfort of your own home,” she added, referencing the Kardashian habit of shaking their salads before eating.
Chef K, the Los Angeles-based private chef who cooks for the Kardashian family and many others, told Fox News Digital that adding grains and healthy fats to your salads can help curb hunger. (Chef K/iStock)
“It’s so convenient, why not?” she said.
All of the new dressings are non-GMO and gluten-free, and three of the four are vegan., It is made with an apple cider base.
“Sesame is my favorite,” she said. “It’s comforting to me.”
She noted that ranch dressing is packed with fresh ingredients, including rich buttermilk and eggs, so it needs to be stored in the refrigerator to maintain its shelf life.
“These are not super processed,” she said.
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Uy recommends using this “all-purpose” dressing on more than just salads, as a dip or marinade for any protein you might be grilling this summer.
“Sesame is my favorite,” she said. “It’s comforting to me. I grew up on the taste of tuna and sesame.” (Uy moved to California from the Philippines as a young woman.)
Chef K said Health Nuts’ sesame dressing is “my favorite. It’s comforting to me. It tastes like tuna and sesame, and that’s what I grew up with,” and she moved to California from the Philippines when she was young. (Chef K)
The private chef has worked with the Kardashian family for 10 years and has spent years posting unique and creative culinary stories inspired by the family’s lavish events on social media.
She told Fox News Digital that she gets ideas for her unique menu from certain foods and flavors that her family likes.
“I provide a salad bar for all my client’s kids, and they can make their own taco bar or pizza bar.”
“I’m really passionate and sympathetic to my clients. I memorize their taste preferences and then [themes like] “‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Powerpuff Girls,’ but in a healthier way,” she said, recalling the recent birthday party for the Kardashian kids that she helped cater and plan.
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“That’s my responsibility,” she said, emphasizing the healthy aspects of the food she makes.
Getting kids to eat healthy foods can be a challenge, Uy acknowledged, but she said incorporating fresh vegetables and fruits into the process can help ease resistance to new foods.
“Eating healthy is so easy these days,” says Chef K. “And it can be comforting to stimulate that nostalgic part of your brain.” (Chef K)
“I provide a salad bar for all my clients’ kids and allow them to create their own taco bar or pizza bar,” she says. “Kids are more curious about food,” she says, and they really “have fun.”
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This kind of hands-on approach can get kids interested in eating certain foods, she says.
Read the rest of Fox News Digital’s original interview with Chef K here:
question: We live in a busy world and everyone wants to eat better and healthier – what are your best tips for making that happen?
Chef KEating healthy is so easy these days, and it also feels good to tap into that nostalgic part of your brain.
My job as a chef is to first know what my family wants, and then introduce a healthier version of it, so I start making a “Forever/Never” list.
“I add dried fruits and nuts to my salads. Marinate protein and add it to your salads, which is a great addition,” Los Angeles-based Chef K said of how he prepares healthy meals. (iStock)
If a family member wants a particular pasta, sauce, or salad, I’ll add one topping to it, they may or may not like it.
Then I build from there by putting foods into either the “always” pile or the “never” pile.
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This process can increase curiosity about food, especially in children.
They say, “Oh, Chef K, what’s that?” or “Chef K, let’s have that again.”
“And it stays in their memory. And it becomes part of a new tradition, which is very important.”
I want to build a relationship of trust with them. [about the food she makes]And we can get it [food or dish] One more time. And it stays in their memory. And it becomes part of a new tradition, and it’s very important.
Q: Have you been surprised by any of the “forever” or “never” choices you’ve received from your clients over the years?
Chef K: Not anymore! The truth is, I’ve been doing this for 24 years.
So, in terms of requests, there’s nothing I haven’t seen before.
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I’m interested in my clients. What’s nostalgic for them isn’t necessarily nostalgic for me. I want to offer them comfort — comfortable, healthy choices.
Q: You’ve been big on salads for a long time, what salad trends do you see happening right now?
Chef K: These days, salads are often served with pizza, either on the side or inside a wrap.
When you get creative and curious in this way, however you choose to eat it, you’re consuming a salad instead of not consuming a salad.
Kris Jenner (left) and Kim Kardashian attend the 10th Annual Breakthrough Awards Ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Chef K has created a “forever no-no” list for each member of the Kardashian family, a list of foods they love and hate. She says she continues to make the list. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Things are always evolving, always moving. Even Caesar salad. [new dressings] It’s so versatile and has made my life so much easier.
I also add dried fruits and nuts to my salads. It’s great to marinate proteins and add them to salads.
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You eat it and you feel satisfied. You don’t say, “Okay, I just had a salad. What should I eat next?”
I have just had a meal.
And yes, I do want to emphasize the importance of getting protein in your diet.
“We all like to indulge a little bit every now and then, so have a little fun. Have a salad four or five times a week and then have a little pizza on Saturday.” (iStock)
Q: You seem to be very big on balance when it comes to food and diet. Can you elaborate?
Yes, I believe in balance in everything.
We all like to indulge a little bit every now and then, so enjoy a little bit, maybe have a salad four or five times a week and have a little pizza on Saturday.
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Keep it balanced and you’ll feel better.
Chef K will be sharing his recipes in @ChefKLA and @HealthNutLA’s upcoming social media series, “Shake it Up with Chef K.” (Chef K)
One more thing: the condiment drawers in my fridge are like the medicine cabinet or makeup drawer in my bathroom, right?!
That is very important to me and something I can rely on.
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To me, the new salad dressing is delicious and promotes healthy living.
It can be used as a dip for almost anything, making life so much easier.
of Health enthusiast The dressing is available nationally at Walmart and locally at Target, Albertsons, Jewel, Bristol Farms, Gelsens, Stater Brothers, Wake Fern, Smart and Final.
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