First lady Michelle Obama gave Chef Robert Irvine a different kind of mission on Wednesday night's episode of the Food Network's "Restaurant Impossible."
"I need you Robert, I need you to join Horton's Kids and me to take on one of the toughest missions in America, and that's helping our kids eat right and get active, so that they can grow up healthy and strong. It's one of my biggest priorities as first lady," said Obama in a video message to Irvine on the show.
Irvine, who usually spends the show trying to help restaurants stave off failure with two days and $10,000, took his mission to Horton's Kids, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C.
The 23-year-old organization provides tutoring and community space, and also serves meals to about 100 children a day, according to the executive director, Brenda Chamberlain.
"The folks at Horton's Kids are doing everything they can to help their community and I want to do everything I can to help Horton's Kids," said Irvine.
The first lady gave Irvine three assignments to complete at Horton's Kids — to complete a dining room, an updated kitchen and a community garden, like the one she has made famous at the White House.
"I look forward to seeing the results when I come join you all for a celebratory meal, so until then, I've got just two words for you. Let's move," she added.
After a trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to get advice from White House
Assistant Chef Sam Kass, a sped-up renovation and help from youths and staff at Horton's Kids, Irvine unveiled his efforts to Obama.
"I'm waiting with baited breadth," said Irvine.
He didn't need to worry, because the first lady agreed with one of the children that the revamp and food should get a "humungous A+."
Obama has appeared on numerous television shows, including NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and "The Biggest Loser," to advocate for her "Let's Move!" initiative, which promotes healthy eating and exercise to combat childhood obesity.
She has also been promoting her new book American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America, a large picture book that includes stories about the White House garden project and garden-oriented recipes. All proceeds from the book, which was released May 29, go to the National Park Foundation.
