Congratulations to the Winning Student Teams in Cooking up Change!

November 04, 2011 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

Kudos to the amazing student chefs who wowed judges and guests at Cooking up Change!

Student chefs celebrate at Cooking up Change

The first place team won a trip to Washington, DC to compete in the Cooking up Change national finals in May 2012 and will see their meal served in high schools across Chicago! Winning team members each received a scholarship to Washburne Culinary Institute to continue their education in the culinary arts.

The first-place team, Chicago Vocational Career Academy, won top honors with a dish featuring freshly-baked chicken. Students in the Chicago flagship contest are limited to ingredients that school dining managers in Chicago Public Schools are able to order for school lunch and this year for the first time, that list includes fresh chicken. (CPS recently began serving freshly-baked chicken as part of its school lunch program.) CVCA took advantage of this opportunity to create a healthy, great-tasting lunch that impressed judges and guests alike. You can learn more about the freshly-baked chicken in Chicago schools here.

Rochelle Davis, HSC President and CEO, with the CVCA team and their mentor, Chef Matt Eversman of OON Chicago

Congratulations to all the inspiring and impressive student chefs!

First Place, Healthy School Lunch
Chicago Vocational Career Academy (CVCA)

Menu
Oven-Fried Chicken with Dinner Roll
Cousins (collard greens and cabbage)
Sweet Potato Salad

Team
Culinary Students: Diamonte Baugh, Sheanice Dishmon, Kaliah Hunter,
Ciara Lawton, Tatiana Rice, and Jerome Sims
Mentor: Chef Matt Eversman of OON Chicago
Culinary Instructors: David Fuller and Lorraine Harris

Second Place, Healthy School Lunch
Clemente Community Academy

Menu
Slow Roasted Pulled Barbecue Turkey Sandwich with Slaw
Apple-Berry Icee
Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Team
Culinary Students: Diana Arroyo, Courtney Flenoy, Arnold Garcia, Abraham Molina, Hector Perez, Arianna Ray
Mentor: Chef Randy Zweiban of Province
Culinary Instructors: Anthony Ladson and Ernestine Maxie

Third Place, Healthy School Lunch
Richards Career Academy

Menu
New Orleans Chicken and Polenta Napolean
Mardi Gras Confetti Salad
Royal Orange Hoppin' John

Team
Culinary Students: Sofia Adame, Mariela Escobar, Deunshay Jones,
Aristeo Lopez, Steven Villegas, and Priscilla Wise
Mentor: Chef Monica Hayes of Tasteful Manners
Culinary Instructors: Mark Soltis and Katy Walsh

Audience Choice, Healthy After-School Snack
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy

Healthy Snack
Pumpkin Bars

Team
Culinary Students: Ciara Dixon, Kadijah Harris, LaKiesha Hopkins,
James Martin, Alexandra Rodgers, and Keanu Ware
Mentor: Chef Jim Freeland of Meatheads Burgers & Fries
Culinary Instructors: Retondria Green, Chloe Gould, and Romelle Norrington

Congratulations to all the inspiring and impressive student chefs!

Student chefs from Washington High School present tastes of their healthy after-school snack

As students bring ingenuity to creating healthy school lunches, our sponsors, host committee and green leader circle bring support that makes Cooking up Change a reality. Many thanks to this generous team.

This flagship event kicks off our 2011-12 Cooking up Change season, with contests to follow in cities across the U.S. Stay posted for updates!

Student chefs of first-place team CVCA