Students Serve Award-Winning Lunch Recipe to State Board
CPS culinary students placed 1st in 2015 Healthy Schools Campaign Cooking up Change competition
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Four George Washington High School students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools’ culinary program served their award-winning Cajun chicken lettuce wraps, roasted corn relish, and peach and yogurt pizza to Board members during the Illinois State Board of Education’s monthly meeting in Springfield Wednesday.
Marshawn Gibson, Jalize Harmonponcedeleon, Neidy Mejia, and Natalie Ruiz competed last October against 14 other Chicago District 299 high schools. Student chefs were challenged with creating dishes that their peers would enjoy while following strict nutritional guidelines with limited ingredients, budget, time, and equipment. George Washington High chefs came out on top with their lettuce wraps in a creative and healthy spin on a popular restaurant chain dish. Their recipe has already been served three times this year in the district and will very likely be introduced into the regular lunch rotation.
“I’m always amazed at what students can produce when presented with a challenge,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “Not only are these students able to focus on doing what they love, but are building skills and gaining qualifications for their futures. I only wish my school lunches could have been this delicious!”
Healthy Schools Campaign, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, aims to ensure all students have access to a healthy school environment. The Cooking up Change competition has grown over the years and spread to other cities across the nation. The George Washington High School students will compete this summer in Washington, D.C., against other contest winners from states including California and Texas.
“These Chicago students along with other students around the country are working to change one school lunch menu at a time and help food service directors get a better handle on the challenge of pleasing student taste buds,” said Healthy Schools Campaign President and CEO Rochelle Davis.
District culinary programs offer students the opportunity to work with professional chefs, build resumes, earn certifications, and gain valuable experience and networking opportunities that will help them to succeed in college and careers.
“These students are doing what professional chefs do every day and loving every minute of it,” said CPS Senior Program Coordinator David Blackmon. “We do this because it’s a lot of fun to support not only the students, but the teachers, while giving them the essentials to support curriculum and student learning.”
