100th Hero in Education Promotes Healthy Eating Habits.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A dedicated chef fighting childhood obesity will be honored as the California State Lottery's 100th Hero in Education on "The Big Spin(R)" show which airs statewide September 9, 2006. Chef Michael Gomez, founder of the healthy eating program, Delight In Every Taste (DIET), will be presented with the award by Doris Roberts, an Emmy award-winning actress best know for her role as Marie in Everybody Loves Raymond.

Growing up overweight, Chef Michael Gomez was no stranger to the harmful effects obesity can have on a child's self esteem. But when he grew up, he learned about the harmful effects of obesity on children's health. After years of yo-yo dieting, Chef Gomez finally realized the trick to losing weight and keeping-it off, and he set out to spread the message to over six million overweight children in America.

Chef Gomez visits classrooms all over California with his program called DIET, an acronym that means Delight In Every Taste. During his visits, kids learn to eat fun and exciting foods, and to think of their stomachs as fuel, rather than storage, tanks. He finds that when kids choose and prepare their own meals, they have more fun eating them. "Becoming responsible for their food choices also empowers kids and gives them self-esteem that can translate into all other aspects of their academic and social lives," Chef Gomez said.

The California State Lottery's "Heroes in Education" award has been presented monthly on The Big Spin show since 1999. The Lottery partners with celebrities to present these awards, which recognize special individuals who volunteer time and resources to their schools and communities.

For more information about the DIET program, please visit http://lovemydiet.org. And, for details about past "Heroes in Education" and what the California Lottery contributes to public education, please visit http://www.calottery.com/Support/.