Real Food for Kids: Culinary Challenge

CULINARY CHALLENGE

Our students are changing school lunch menus.
And this is the only event where you can see how they do it!

Since 2012, the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge has provided students the unique experience of mirroring the responsibilities of school nutrition professionals by creating delicious, healthy school meals that represent the diverse culinary traditions in our school communities. All while staying within the defined nutrition parameters and cost thresholds of the federally funded National School Meal Program.

It is the only professional culinary competition open to both middle and high school students, and the only competition where students have an opportunity to see their recipe adapted and served on school lunch lines around the Greater Metropolitan Region.

The “challenge” at the heart of this competition is the same one faced by school food professionals every day: to craft healthy and delicious menu items that meet USDA guidelines and adhere to strict per-meal budgets.

12th Annual Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Hayfield Secondary School | 7630 Telegraph Rd Alexandria, VA 22315

The Culinary Challenge Featured Chef Demo, Public Tasting & Exhibition, and Awards Ceremony are open to the public.

Attendance is FREE, but space is limited. Kindly R.S.V.P. to attend.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

The 2024 Culinary Challenge team lineup includes the following schools:

LUNCH CATEGORY
Ballou High School, DC Public Schools
C.D. Hylton High School, Prince William County Schools
Emerging Chefs, On the Road Collaborative, Harrisonburg City
Franklin Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Herndon High School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Luther Jackson Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools
South Lakes High School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Takoma Park Middle School, Montgomery County Public Schools
Wakefield High School, Arlington Public Schools

BREAKFAST CATEGORY
Ballou High School, DC Public Schools
Emerging Chefs, On the Road Collaborative, Harrisonburg City
Freedom High School, Prince William County Schools
South Lakes High School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Wakefield High School, Arlington Public Schools

SNACK CATEGORY
Freedom High School, Prince William County Schools
Loudoun Valley High School, Loudoun County Public Schools

CULINARY MENTOR

2024 JUDGES

Chef Kevin Tien

Chef-Owner, Moon Rabbit; Chef-Owner, Hot Lola's; Co-Founder of Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate

Julian Eckhardt

Culinary Director, Inn at Little Washington

Chef Matt Adler

Chef-Partner, Caruso's Grocery

Rahul Vinod

Co-Founder, RASA

Nura Mendez

Director, Premium Brand Experiences at Marriott International + Food Blogger

Ed Lichorat

Director of Facility Management, DC Central Kitchen

Maria Kopsidas

Owner, Cookology and Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute (MCAI)

CELEBRITY CHEF COOKING DEMOS

Michelin-starred chef Chris Morgan and Grande Dame of Persian cooking Najmieh Batmanglij, the creative minds behind the latest hotspot Joon, demonstrate how to make their Lamb and Pistachio Meatballs incorporating the flavors of the Middle East.

Joon, their upscale Persian restaurant, opened 2023 to much fanfare, earning a 2024 James Beard “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic” nomination. Together, these acclaimed chefs combine their passion to spotlight Iran’s rich culture and cuisine.

Moderated by:

BONNIE S. BENWICK

Former Washington Post Deputy Recipe Editor;
RFFK Culinary and Program Advisor

2024 CULINARY CHALLENGE WINNERS

A panel of celebrity chefs, culinary professionals, and local luminaries judged the lunch entries this year at Hayfield Secondary School.

Winner, 1st Place: Takoma Park Middle School | Lentil Vegetable Soup, Grilled Paneer Cheese with Mango Chutney and Masala Fries (Montgomery Co. Public Schools, MD)

Second Place: South Lakes High School | Beet Arepas with Black Bean Purée and Revuelta Criolla (Fairfax Co. Public Schools, VA)

Third Place: Luther Jackson Middle School | Cornucopia Cascade and Watermelon Pizza (Fairfax Co. Public Schools, VA)

2024 CULINARY CHALLENGE “COMMUNITY CHOICE” WINNERS

At a live tasting event, members of the public had the opportunity to judge lunch, snack, and breakfast entries for themselves.

Lunch: Takoma Park Middle School | Lentil Vegetable Soup, Grilled Paneer Cheese with Mango Chutney and Masala Fries (Montgomery Co. Public Schools, MD)

Breakfast: Freedom High School | Essential Strawberry Smoothie (Prince William Co. Public Schools, VA)

Snack: Freedom High School | Strawberry Muffins (Prince William Co. Public Schools, VA)