'The Chew' features local chef's 'Eatiquette' lunch program

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- ABC's "The Chew" shined a very special spotlight on Philadelphia and a pretty incredible school lunch program.

It's called Eatiquette, and it's the brainchild of local chef and James Beard Award winner Marc Vetri.

The idea? To not only expose children to delicious, healthy new foods.

Vetri says it's not only about what you eat, "it's also how you eat it."

Like how to sit, how to share and how to socialize, the way you would in a real restaurant.

Eatiquette is up and running at more than a dozen Philadelphia schools.

On the menu the day "The Chew" crew visited Global Leadership Academy in West Philadelphia? Chipotle lime chicken, roasted cauliflower and fiesta rice - not your typical school lunch.

The captains, who wear chef whites, also learn the art of setting a table and presenting a meal.

The hosts of the daytime show applauded the kids, the program and Vetri.

"I loved how much responsibility they have and how much they love that," said co-host Daphne Oz. "Eatiquette! Awesome idea!"

"He's one of the, if not the greatest chefs in America and he's even a better person if that's possible," said co-host Michael Symon. "He's just a really special guy."

Global Leadership Academy says they are over the moon with pride to show off their incredible little scholars, and the program that's teaching them life skills that they will take with them.

"Here is where we teach things. And so if you teach children the art of dining, they will take it with them," said Dr. Naomi Johnson Booker, CEO.