Chef Gerald Egger Teaches: Community, Health, Education, Food
Photo Courtesy of: Gerald Egger
"You're going to save money, time and your health," Chef Gerald Egger said of his CHEF (Community, Health, Education, Food) program courses. Egger shared surprising facts about Americans and their grocery habits, and says his classes will help people save money, eat better and have more time for themselves.
By Margie Miller, Publisher/Journalist
October 1, 2014 at 09:39am. Views: 176
October 1, 2014 at 09:39am. Views: 176
The Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Chef Gerald Egger as the presenter of a morning breakfast networking meeting where he outlined the three proponents of his CHEF (Community, Health, Education, Food) courses and revealed surprising facts about American weekly food consumption.
Egger’s culinary career spans over 20 years and in one three-hour class, Egger said participants will “save up to $100 per week on food, improve time management, improve the quality of meals, provide healthier food and increase family time.”
Egger pointed out surprising facts, as reported by the USDA:
1. A family of four spends between $146 and $289 each week on groceries alone.
2. The average family wastes about a quarter of their food, meaning it goes directly into the trash.
3. The average adult dines out at least 19 times per month, with an average dining bill per experience totaling $12.75.
4. Time spent cooking from home is less than 12 hours a week.
His courses, which he has taught at the Loma Linda Community Center in the past, help individuals create menus, shop on a budget, and learn faster food preparation and efficient grocery shopping techniques, Egger shared.
“One of the dilemmas that we’re facing as a society is, we like instant gratification and we’re also addicted to certain foods,” Egger said. “How many people go through a drive thru because it’s quick and convenient? The average time to go through a drive thru is about 18 minutes during rush hour. During that time, you could’ve already had your food ready on the table.”
Egger’s class, he explained, teaches alternative cooking methods for quick, easy meals, including meal preparation for time-saving techniques.
“A lot of us know what a slow cooker is, but there’s lots of other devices out there as well as… pots and pans that we can also cook with in a much quicker way,” Egger said.
A customizable shopping list helps his students create grocery lists and monitor their spending, while learning food seasonality and using cooling bags, designed to monitor the temperature of food items when grocery shopping, help extend food life and preserve food quality.
“For every minute that your food is out, it runs about 15 minutes to an hour faster in decay,” Egger said.
Students can also expect to learn how to use food items completely, whether the food is eaten whole or used to add flavor or thickness, like a corn-based broth.
“You’re going to save money, time and your health. These classes are great for homes or individuals, business and wellness corporations, as well as specific groups,” Egger said. “In that one class… you will actually offset the cost within your first grocery shopping. If you did the numbers, you’re spending somewhere between $12,000 to $20,000 a year just in food. You’re going to save thousands of dollars by… learning how to budget. It’s a really simple program.”
To contact Chef Gerald Egger and learn about class schedules, visit www.chefenterprises.com..
Related Articles
By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 771
Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.
By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1326
Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.
By William Cortez, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 2764
The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.
By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 845
A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.
By William Cortez, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1728
Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.
By Stella Pierce, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 765
The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.
By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 826
CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.
By William Cortez, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 2019
Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.
By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 884
As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.
By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 694
Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.
By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer
October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 970
A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.
By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer
October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 875
Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.