On Oct. 23, teams of high school students studying culinary arts in Chicago Public Schools presented to a crowd of 400-plus just how tasty and how healthy school lunch can really be. The fundraiser benefited the Healthy School Campaign, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving child health through greener environment, exercise awareness and nutrition. Culinary arts student teams competed to craft healthy school meals. The city-wide contest was judged by a panel of local chefs and celebrities, as well as some CPS students who will be the end customers. In addition to the creative midday meals, delicious student-designed “healthy” cookies were served at the benefit for guests to taste and cast their ballots for a special audience choice award. During the event, guests had the opportunity to talk with students about the inspiration and ingredients behind their tasty culinary delights. The student-designed school meal that placed first in the contest will be served for lunch in all Chicago public high schools.
The student-created school lunches must meet the cost requirements and nutrition guidelines that school food service directors at every school face, as well as the high standards for taste and visual appeal that culinary students strive to achieve.
The culinary teams prepared for the contest with professional development for teachers and in-class visits from chefs and nutrition experts to help equip students for a competition that prioritizes nutrition as well as taste and presentation.
The students who produced the meals were from the Culinary Arts Programs in the department of Careers and College Preparation with CPS. The in-school training, as well as the professional experience of taking part in a culinary competition and presenting food at the benefit helps prepare students for careers in an increasingly health conscious culinary world.
Last year's competition was filled with culinary students with their heads held high and their chest filled full of pride.
Watching the enjoyment on a person’s face when they are eating a dish that they made gave them pride in the work that they do and gave them a whole new perspective on what they can do. And that makes a really big difference.
The first place winning team members were each presented with $1000 scholarships to attend Washburne Culinary Institution after they graduate high school.
The winning lunches were:
3rd place: Prosser
Turkey Breast Multigrain Tortilla
Quesadilla
Veggie Medley Pico Di Gallo
Spanish Rice
2nd place: Clemente Euro Chic
Seedless Tomatoes and
Broccoli Florets
1st place: Richards Career Academy
Carrotquedilla
Chorizo Relleno
Refrescante
Winning Healthy Cookie:
Richards Career Academy
Carrot Cake Cookie
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