By Catto Healthy News reporters | “I was born to be a chef. I have been cooking since I was eight years old,” said Omega Ellis, chef and owner of Omega’s restaurant in Merchantville, N.J.
Ms. Ellis is no stranger to the staff at Catto Elementary School. The staff had their holiday party last year at her restaurant, and the word around the building is that her food is delicious.
Catto’s Healthy News fourth-grade reporters had the opportunity to interview Ms. Ellis and discuss how her food connects people.
“As a chef I always wanted to have my own space. I worked under a lot of other chefs, but now I get to run my very own restaurant. Some people would call my food soul food, but I like to call my food comfort food with a southern flare,” she said.
Sharing food is a way to connect and create lasting bonds, say researchers at Duke Health & Well Being, which offers programs that promote physical, social, and mental wellness. Cooking or preparing a meal together encourages teamwork, communication, and creativity.
Whether it’s families having brunch or dinner, people hosting special events, or listening to live music, Ms. Ellis loves to see people connecting with each other while enjoying a great meal at her restaurant.
Ms. Ellis says one of the benefits of seeing people connecting through food is meeting and getting to know people from different ethnic backgrounds.
“Kids make connections through food by having special memories,” said Ms. Ellis. “I will always love pizza because I will never forget when my second grade teacher gave us a pizza party while we watched the premiere of Michael Jackson’s Remember the Time video.
“Whenever I have pizza, I connect with that memory.”
Ms. Ellis gets special satisfaction from watching her diners.
“My favorite way to connect with others through food is watching people’s reactions after they have tasted my food,” she said. “I love seeing the smiles and expressions on their faces.”
Ms. Ellis says it’s not just the connections people make through food that’s important to her. She wants her food to benefit her customers’ health. “I remember growing up where family members didn’t always use healthy ingredients when preparing food such as a lot of pork.Today we can substitute with healthier no-meat options. You can eat healthy food and really enjoy it.”
Some of her favorite meals to prepare are Hoppin’ John rice, seafood macaroni and cheese, and chicken wings.
“Being a chef was my calling and cooking is my passion. My grandmother encouraged me to follow my dream of becoming a chef,” she said. “I strive to make food that brings people together and gives them a feeling of comfort. I love connecting and getting to know my customers. I always seek feedback from my customers whether it is positive or negative to make the experience at Omega’s a great one.”
Illustration by Serenity, 4th grade, Catto, 2025-26.
