Chef Nugent ensures Ja athletes eat healthy in Maryland

BALTIMORE, Maryland:

ATHLETES FROM 12 Jamaican high schools are in Baltimore, Maryland, for Saturday's Puma East Coast Invitational meet, and chef Neville Nugent is ensuring that the Jamaicans are eating healthy leading up to the meet.

Nugent, the owner of three Mad Cow restaurants in Maryland, has been handed the task to provide meals for the Jamaicans and he is enjoying the role.

Originally from St Mary, Nugent who grew up in Ocho Rios has been in the food business in Maryland for the past 25 years.

"I grew up watching my father, a chef, in the business for some 12 years and I have learnt the art from him", said the 52 year-old Nugent.

"For me it is an honour to be helping to ensure that these kids feel like they are at home by providing them with the meals they are used to and ensuring that they do well at the track and field meet when they come here," Nugent said.

"I always wanted to give back to my country and this is one way of doing that. I get very excited when it comes to food and its preparation and even more excited knowing I am doing so for a worthy cause as I want to ensure that our athletes eat healthy before and during the meet," said Nugent whose restaurants are situated in Laurel, Bowie and Bradywine.