About the Host
David Jackson - Host
American Culinary Federation and Chefs De Cuisine Association award winner David Jackson is no novice to television production, nor to hosting syndicated cooking and health-related lifestyle programming. It's just been a while since he last did so! Inspired by the importance of relating gourmet culinary technique with common sense dietetics and nutrition, David created and presented varying local and national food segments and cooking shows during the 1980's, including Eating Well, Food For Thought and Healthy Lifestyles for The Hospital Satellite Network and ABC-affiliate KESQ-Palm Springs. After a 3-decade stint directing his family's businesses ; from which he is now retired ; David has thrown his chef's hat back into the television cooking show ring.
Food Over 50 is inspired by David's own health experiences. More than a decade ago, when he turned 50, his cholesterol levels shot up despite regular exercise and a good diet. Also at 50, David was diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately that turned out to be diverticulitis, not cancer, but the message was clear. Despite good diet and fitness, physical decline sneaks up on us as we age. We have to fight back! Ironically, David emphasized recipes for lowering cholesterol, avoiding excess sodium and increasing fiber in his cooking shows more than 30 years ago, yet it took another two decades before concerns over his own health appeared. This is the inspiration for Food Over 50.
These days there's more salt and pepper in David's hair than in his recipes. A television chef with cooking shows three decades apart is noteworthy, but it's no guarantee of culinary expertise. So here's a brief look at his culinary and hospitality industry beginnings.
1970's Professional Training:
Caesar's Palace Hotel - Las Vegas, NV
Butcher / Broiler / Soups & Saute / Garde Manger / Banquets
Note: Directed by Caesar's executive chef to prepare between-show meals for Circus Maximus showroom entertainers such as Tom Jones, Diana Ross, Andy Williams, etc.
Butcher Shop Restaurant - San Diego, CA
Butcher / Broiler / Garde Manger
Canyon Resort Hotel - Palm Springs, CA
Broiler / Saute & Sauces / Garde Manger / Fish / Banquets
Mesa College - San Diego, CA
Hotel & Restaurant Administration
Awards & Recognition
American Culinary Federation - Chefs de Cuisine Assoc. Culinary Art Show
1st Place - Centerpieces/Sculpture
2nd Place - Seafood Chaud Froid
1980's Television Appearances
The Home Show - Guest cooking segments for network daytime programming.
Healthy Lifestyles - Conceived, produced & presented cooking segments as part of The Hospital Satellite Network-s wellness and good living series.
Eating Well - Produced & hosted various dietary health-related programs in conjunction with The Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at The Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, CA.
Food For Thought - Produced & hosted cooking segments for KESQ-TV News, the ABC affiliate for Palm Springs. CA.
About our Dietary Expert
Elizabeth Kelsey, R.D.
Libby is a graduate of San Diego State University and The Frances Stern Nutrition Center at Tuft's New England Medical Center. From 1977 to 2002 she was Clinical Nutrition Manager for the Eisenhower Medical Center and instrumental in the development of the nutrition program for The Betty Ford Center, also on the EMC campus in Palm Desert, CA. She has also served as General Manager, Food & Nutrition Services for JFK Memorial Hospital and Manager of Sodexo Nutrition & Wellness Center.
Currently, Libby works with individual and institutional clients via her private practice, EQ Consulting, while continuing as General Nutrition Instructor, Adjunct Faculty (since 1982) at College of the Desert. She is a 42-year member of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic Professionals (formerly The American Dietetic Association). She is also past President and Board of Directors member of the Desert Division of The American Heart Association.
Libby first collaborated with David on the 1985 television series Healthy Lifestyles for The Hospital Satellite Network. This series was shot, in part, at The Annenberg Center for Health Sciences and at KPBS in San Diego. The two have been friends and associates ever since. Food Over 50 viewers may expect this exemplary dietitian to clarify and confirm each and every recipe conveyed through our Public Television series and companion website.
Libby features in Food Over 50's nutrition segments, Second Helpings. Both our appetites and dietary health are in good hands with her excellent advice.
