Last November, the winning dish from the 2017 Culinary Challenge & Wellness Expo –food created by students for students – made its debut on the Fairfax County school lunch menu, proving that our students can truly play a change-maker role in elevating the quality and character of school food. This year, even more teams are competing for that coveted lunch spot.
Wellness Expo Plenary Session and Awards Presentation
Plus, prize drawings of top tier restaurant gift certificates and signed cookbooks
*Winner must be present to win
Celebrity Judge David Guas
Chef David Guas will be joining our judging panel of school food directors, chefs and students to determine the winner of this year's competition. Guas's N'awlins hot spot restaurant, Bayou Bakery is a favorite in Arlington and beyond. He is also the owner of the newly opened L'il B's in DC and appears on Travel Channel's American Grilled.
The Culinary Challenge
Using approved ingredients and USDA school nutrition guidelines, middle and high school student teams demonstrate how they – the consumers – can impact the taste and reputation of the lunch line with creative approaches that benefit entire school systems. The lunch, breakfast and snack dishes are designed to bring restaurant-quality food to our school cafeterias. See who’s participating…
Annandale HS
Chantilly Academy
Franklin MS
Lake Braddock SS
Marshall Academy
Parkside MS
Sandburg MS
West Potomac HS
Glasgow MS
Irving MS
Lanier MS
Parkside MS
Sandburg MS
West Potomac HS
The Wellness Expo Plenary
This year we have a range of presenters, panelists and speakers sharing ideas and information on food, nutrition and health, culinary and related career insight and much more! This fast-paced session will build up to the presentation of our awards to the top three teams and the winning recipe of the competition. Here's what you'll be learning...
Real Food for Kids collaborates with school communities to elevate the quality and character of school food; develop and deliver programs that advance literacy in nutrition and health; and engage students, parents and schools in building a culture of health that spreads to their homes and communities.