PantriApp Founder & CEO, Marcus Flakes to Compete in Harris County Public Health’s 3rd Annual Healthy Cooking Challenge

PRESS ARTICLE — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Houston, TX — February 2026

Harris County Public Health will host its 3rd Annual Healthy Cooking Challenge on February 28, 2026, and this year’s competition features a standout contender: Chef Marcus Flakes, Founder, CEO, and culinary architect behind PantriApp, the emerging Household Intelligence Technology platform reshaping how families plan, shop, and cook at home.

Held at the elite Barbara Jordan Career Center, the challenge brings together four chefs who will each prepare a heart‑healthy dish from a mystery basket within a one‑hour time limit. More than 100 attendees will taste, judge, and vote on the final dishes, with the event also streamed live via Zoom to expand community access. The challenge is supported by respected partners including Harris County Public Health, HISD, Harris Health, Texas Southern University, NCAT, and the Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council.

A Chef, Scholar, Veteran, and Founder at the Intersection of Food and Public Health

Flakes enters the competition with a rare blend of academic rigor, culinary mastery, and community‑driven leadership. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Health, a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Management, and a post‑graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from Texas A&M University. This multidisciplinary foundation positions him uniquely for an event centered on nutrition, health equity, and community wellness.

His culinary career spans military food service, where he honed precision, discipline, and large‑scale meal operations, to entrepreneurial success with Marco’s Pepper Grill, a venture that earned him recognition across Houston’s food and small‑business community. Flakes has been featured on CBS 10 cooking segments, profiled in food and health magazines, and celebrated for his ability to merge flavor, culture, and nutrition in ways that resonate with diverse audiences.

As the author of The Aspiring Chef memoir, Flakes brings a deep personal philosophy to the kitchen—one rooted in taste, texture, presentation, and the emotional power of food. His story of resilience, service, and reinvention continues to inspire emerging chefs and entrepreneurs across the region.

A Strategic Moment for PantriApp’s Growth and Public Visibility

Flakes’ participation in the Healthy Cooking Challenge marks a pivotal milestone for PantriApp, the platform he is preparing to introduce to households nationwide. His presence at a major public health event strengthens PantriApp’s positioning in several key ways:

1. Public Health Alignment & Credibility

With his academic training in public health and the event’s focus on heart‑healthy cooking, Flakes embodies the values PantriApp promotes—nutritious eating, accessible wellness, and informed household decision‑making.

2. Early Customer Acquisition Through Community Exposure

The event’s in‑person audience and livestream reach introduce PantriApp to families, educators, health professionals, and community leaders—ideal early adopters for a platform built around household intelligence and food behavior.

3. Chef Recruitment & Provider Awareness

As PantriApp prepares to onboard chefs and home‑service providers, Flakes’ dual role as founder and competing chef demonstrates authenticity and leadership. His visibility encourages other culinary professionals to explore joining the platform.

4. Strengthening Institutional Partnerships

The event’s sponsors represent major health, education, and community organizations. Flakes’ involvement opens doors for future collaborations, pilot programs, and co‑branded initiatives that can accelerate PantriApp’s regional and national footprint.

5. Narrative Leadership in Food Innovation

Flakes’ background—military chef, public health scholar, entrepreneur, author—positions him as a credible voice in the future of food technology. His participation reinforces PantriApp’s mission to make healthy eating intuitive, culturally relevant, and emotionally resonant.

A Competition with Purpose

Each chef will receive a mystery basket filled with heart‑healthy ingredients and will have one hour to create a dish that is flavorful, nutritious, and accessible. After presenting to the judges, the chefs will serve their dishes to attendees, who will cast votes for their favorite creation.

For Flakes, this challenge is more than a competition—it is a demonstration of the culinary philosophy that underpins PantriApp: real food, real households, real impact.

Event Details

Date: February 28, 2026 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM Location: Barbara Jordan Career Center Livestream: Zoom registration available Audience: Open to the public; first 80 attendees receive tasting and voting privileges Languages: English and Spanish

About PantriApp

PantriApp is a next‑generation Household Operating System designed to simplify meal planning, grocery sourcing, and in‑home chef services through deterministic AI. The platform transforms real recipes into structured grocery carts, connects households with vetted chefs, and streamlines everyday food decisions. Founded in Houston, PantriApp is preparing for its public launch in 2026.

Location: Houston, TX, USA

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