Teacher Levin: 'point of light' for recovering teens in NY

Nation's Restaurant News, July 29, 1991 by Theresa Howard

NEW YORK -- Former New York restaurateur Stuart Levin said there is nothing he misses about being in this city's restaurant scene since he now spends his time doing what pleases him most -- teaching the culinary arts to others.

His passion for teaching recently earned him an outstanding community service award, "The Daily Point of Light," from President George Bush.

But Levin, 61, doesn't instruct students enrolled in such schools as the Culinary Institute of America or Cornell's School of Restaurant and Hotel Management. Instead, he voluntarily teaches students who are in a rehabilitation program for substance abuse at Phoenix Academy, a high school that is part of the privately run rehabilitation agency, Phoenix House.

Most students enrolled in Levin's class have never even been exposed to the numerous restaurants here. The course is not required as part of the high school's four-year program that will yield a high-school diploma; but it is available as an elective course.

As part of the 10-week course students learn about menu planning, table etiquette, the art of dining and the history of food.

"Many of these kids never stepped foot in a restaurant before in their lives," said Levin. "Once they are off drugs and on the road to recovery, they have a great appreciation for the simple pleasures in life, such as sitting down for a well-prepared meal. And I'm proud to say that I've helped some of them learn a little more about the city in which they live."

Levin's noted career has included partnerships in some of New York's most famous restaurants: Le Pavillon, Top of the Park and the Four Seasons.

Levin retired in 1986 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It was later that year that he started at the Phoenix House teaching service skills four days a week to adults from ages 21 through 35. But within six months he became more involved with the one-day-a-week culinary course for youths from ages 15 to 20. During the school year Levin teaches five days a week between the two programs.

Now, five years after becoming involved with Phoenix House, Levin said has reached "the peak" with the Presidential commendation that was awarded in early June.

Bush names an individual as a 'Daily Point of Light' six days weekly to recognize volunteers working to improve such social conditions as homelessness, substance abuse and illiteracy.

"Of all the things I've done in this world I have never received an achievement as high as this," Levin said. "When they called from the White House, some woman said, 'Mr. Levin, the president has selected you as a Point of Light.' I was flabbergasted."

A somewhat surprising reaction from the industry veteran who has catered to seven presidents, including John F. Kennedy, and two heads of state. Among his numerous industry awards are the coveted Silver Plate award, from the International Food Manufacturers Association, and Restaurateur of the Year, from the Restaurant League of New York.

Levin was also visible outside the industry. His high profile restaurants helped Levin achieve national recognition throughout the late '60s and early '70s.

Starting in late 1971, Levin had made a 14-city national tour that found him doing 45 television shows, 50 radio shows and 36 newspaper interviews in just under a year.

But the whole time Levin played the role of celebrity restaurateur he still maintained an interest in teaching Levin has spoken as a guest lecturer at Cornell, Harvard. Boston and New York Universities.

At those schools he spoke to students about restaurant operations and how to succeed in the restaurant industry. However, the concept Levin applies to his teaching program is completely different from the one he applied to his business ventures.

Illustrative of Levin's business philosophy is a sign hanging in his Central Park West apartment that reads: "House Rules: (1.) The boss is right. (2.) Any questions see number one."

"That's what I applied to business but when it comes to teaching there is one very simple word: l-o-v-e. My class reeks of love, "he said "Every kid that comes into my class feesl wanted and when I go into school I feel the same."

His technique apparently works. Some of his former students have jobs in area restaurants, and enrollment in his culinary arts class has sprouted from four students in the first year to 60 last year.

His interest in helping substance abusers ironically came about one day after he was sitting about his apartment looking out the window across to Central Park. Because of the sclerosis Levin requires a walker or a wheelchair.

"I was sitting here so depressed and I looked out the window to see some kids passing things back and forth," Levin explained. "Sure enough they were dealings drugs." Levin said he then phoned Mitchell Rosenthal, president of Phoenix House, and asked, "Is there not anything I could do for Phoenix House?"

Aside from what he has already done for Phoenix House and the academy, Levin has some other things in store for Phoenix House. However, he was not at liberty to discuss those things, he said.