But how many students have a say in what goes on the menu?
A group of students will be competing for that chance. Teens studying culinary arts in CPS’ Education to Careers program are competing in a challenge on Thursday, the Cooking up Change Healthy Cooking Contest. Students will whip up meals that will be evaluated by dietitians to make sure they meet nutrition standards, then taste-tasted by a judging panel of chefs, local celebrities and fellow students. The winning meal will be served in all CPS high schools early next year.
“My goal is to help people expand their taste experiences, try things that are good for you,” said Kenisha Wicker, a culinary student at Chicago Vocational Career Academy.
Wicker’s team placed first in the school meal category during last year’s Cooking up Change contest. Their lunch of red beans and rice with smothered cabbage and candied carrots was served twice in CPS high schools last semester.
Student recipes must meet the nutrition criteria used by the organization that provides food service to CPS. In addition, students must create these meals with a budget similar to that of a school food service director—less than $1 per meal for ingredients. Students prepared for the competition with visits from nutritionists at the Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion and team mentors in Chicago’s culinary community.
Want to suggest what should be served during school lunch? Or how about sending a shout-out to one of the student teams?
Visit cookingupchange.org/mash to learn more or to post a comment.
