public static List <SelectListItem> GetParentCategories(int?selected, ILookupRepository rep) { var categoryList = new List <SelectListItem>(); var categories = rep.FetchParentCategories().Select(c_ => new Category(c_)).ToList(); categories.ForEach(c => categoryList.Add(new SelectListItem { Text = c.CategoryName, Value = c.CategoryId.ToString(), Selected = selected.HasValue && (c.CategoryId == selected.Value) })); return(categoryList); }