Attendees for the eighth annual "Food for Thought" event held by George Mason University's Center for Community Mental Health (CCMH) will be given a special treat this year.

Washington Commanders Executive Chef Connor McGuire has been announced as a celebrity chef speaker to provide insight on how food fuels both physical and mental health.

McGuire, who began his career with the Washington franchise as a sous chef in 2013, is entering his 13th season with the franchise. He oversees the kitchen operations at the OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park and works with his staff of 15 sous chefs to provide meals and snacks to over 200 players, coaches and staff members. He works with the team's dietitian and training staff to curate meals specifically catered to meet players' needs during the season.

"They serve some good food, honestly," **second-year safety Quan Martin said in a Washington Post article highlighting McGuire and his staff.** "It's portioned out for you, set up on a plate and all that. I hear all the other guys, and they love it compared to the places they've been."

Prior to working for the Commanders, McGuire worked as the office manager for BLT Steak, which was named a top 15 steakhouse in Washington, D.C. by Washington DC Eater. He also served as a Chef de Partie for the late Michel Richard, the former owner of the restaurant Citrus in Los Angeles and Citronelle and Central in Washington, D.C. Richard also won the 2007 James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef of the Year.

McGuire graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Foods in 2010. He was promoted to his current position with the Commanders in 2018.

George Mason's CCMH provides accessible and affordable therapy and testing services through low-cost, accessible, and high-quality mental health services. It has helped more than 350 children, adolescents, adults, and veterans in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is the only center in Northern Virginia that offers both low-cost testing and therapy services, with therapy sessions starting as low as $5 per session.

In 2024, with help from donors and community partners, CCMH raised more than $150,000 to provide essential mental health services, counseling, and resources to those in need.

Click **HERE** to secure a ticket to George Mason's "Food for Thought" event on May 5 from 6-9 p.m. at Leidos headquarters in Reston, Virginia.