Guest Blog: Chefs of Tomorrow are Cooking up Change Today

November 07, 2012 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

Today we have a special guest blog from David Blackmon, Program Coordinator of Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Agricultural Science in the Chicago Public Schools Office of Pathways to College and Career.

by David Blackmon

On Friday, November 9, teams of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high school students will present to a crowd of nearly 700 guests just how tasty and healthy school lunch really can be. The students producing the meals are from Culinary Arts Programs in CPS schools, through the CPS Pathways to College and Career initiative. 

Their in-school training, as well as the professional experience of taking part in a culinary competition and presenting food at the benefit, helps prepare students for careers in an increasingly health-conscious culinary world. Opportunities like Cooking up Change and others do a lot to develop the students' self-esteem and instill feelings of accomplishment.

Last year’s competition was filled with culinary students with their heads held high and their chests filled with pride. During the event, guests will have the opportunity to talk with students about their inspiration and learn the ingredients within their tasty culinary delights.

Watching the enjoyment on people's faces as they sample student-made dishes, students feel real pride in the work that they do. Plus, they gain a whole new perspective on what they can do in the future.

And that makes a really big difference.

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Special thanks to David Blackmon for sharing this perspective on Cooking up Change!