Lion’s Choice announced a new limited time kids menu item of the Turkey Dipper, created by Chef Katie Collier, chef-owner of Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria, to benefit Operation Food Search. In February, four accomplished St. Louis chefs competed in the “Eat Like a King, Judged By a Cub” culinary competition, where St. Louis area kids voted on their favorite dish to make the menu at Lion’s Choice. You can view a video recap* (and the kids’ candid feedback) here. Although known for her signature pizzas, homemade pastas and more, Katie thought like a mom as well as chef for Turkey Dipper. The roasted turkey and Provel cheese on an oven baked flatbread with marinara sauce for dipping won over the kid judges. The Turkey Dipper will be available now through the end of November with apple slices and the choice of a drink for $4.39 with a portion of proceeds to benefit Operation Food Search. You can see a photo of the item here.

“I definitely had my daughter’s tastes in mind when thinking of a potential item for the kids’ menu at Lion’s Choice. I kept things simple and focused on Lion’s Choice’s delicious ingredients to appeal to the kids,” says Katie Collier. “It was such a fun time to compete against such accomplished chefs here in St. Louis for a great cause, and I look forward to kids’ enjoying the final product of the Turkey Dipper to benefit such an important cause as Operation Food Search.”

For the “Eat Like a King, Judged by a Cub” culinary competition, four notable St. Louis chefs utilized Lion’s Choice iconic ingredients to create a special dish to be judged by a panel of nine kid judges at Operation Food Search’s headquarters. The following chefs participated in the event: Chef Katie Collier of Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria with her Turkey Dipper; Chef Rick Lewis of Grace Meat + Three created a Kiddy Croque Monsieur with ham, mac ‘n cheese on Texast toast; Chef Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box created a Cheese Flatbread with Balkan flavors like ajvar, a red pepper condiment; and Chef Qui Tran of Mai Lee and Nudo House created a Kid’s Bahn Mi with pulled pork and hoisin sauce.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Operation Food Search, and now more than ever, it’s important to support their work to end hunger in the St. Louis metropolitan area,” says president and CEO Michael Kupstas. “It was so fun to see the culinary community come together to have a little fun with us and take on some brutally honest kid critics for a great cause.”

Director of Strategic Initiatives Lucinda Perry for Operation Food Search states, “Since the start of the pandemic, we have served an additional one million meals to the community in addition to our regular food distribution to 200,000 people a month. Now that school is back in session, our goal is to ensure that children have nutritious food, no matter where their learning takes place. This campaign is unique because it enables kids to help other kids struggling with hunger every time this delicious meal is purchased. We are so appreciative of community partners like Lion’s Choice, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta and all the chefs who participated to share our message to end hunger in our community.”

This meal will be not be available for the $1.99 price on Tuesdays for Lion’s Choice’s Family Night. The meal can still be purchased for the price of $4.39 for a meal. Guests who would like to further support Operation Food Search can make a donation at the drive-thru window. Lion’s Choice’s commitment to doing things the right way extends from their signature menu items to new limited-time offerings. The iconic St. Louis brand has been famous for their ridiculously good roast beef sandwiches since 1967. The beef is slow-roasted fresh every day for over three hours, thinly shaved, and served medium-rare. Other menu offerings include a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, and sides as well as desserts.