First Lady Michelle Obama Recognizes Cooking up Change National Winners

October 28, 2011 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

This week, the winners of HSC’s national Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest, the student team from Jacksonville, Fl., received a visit and big congratulations from First Lady Michelle Obama! 

The First Lady met Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology high school culinary students during a trip to Florida yesterday. She commended their efforts to promote healthy eating and create a healthy, great-tasting lunch that appeals to students nationwide. We are so proud of these young chefs for elevating student voices in the national dialogue on school food. 

First Lady Michelle Obama with the Cooking up Change Jacksonville team. Image from First Coast News.

Student chefs Alexus Baldwin, Leoniqua Jackson and Denver Singletary’s Caribbean-inspired beef rib salad with Moroccan rice and a sweet potato corn bread muffin received top honors at the national Cooking up Change contest.

The teammates spoke about their experience in the healthy cooking contest. Alexus told local news affiliates that, “it was so life-changing to me.”

Check out news coverage of the Cooking up Change students meeting the First Lady.

In Chicago, we are excited to kick off the 2011-12 Cooking up Change season with our Chicago flagship contest and benefit on November 3. The winners from this contest will be invited to compete in the national finals in May 2012. Contests in more cities around the country will follow this winter! 
If you’re in the Chicago area, we invite you to join us at Cooking up Change! You can learn more and purchase tickets here. 

Not in Chicago, but would like to support Cooking up Change? You can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a wine country getaway, culinary experience, or game system.

Be sure to check back for stories from Cooking up Change alums, chef mentors, sponsors and students!