With limited ingredient lists, tight deadlines and real-life constraints, students in Cooking up Change are re-writing the recipe for school food.

The contest challenges students to create a great-tasting school lunch that meets nutrition standards on a tight budget, using only ingredients commonly available for school food service. Students must create recipes that include no more than six steps so that they can easily be replicated on a large scale in real school kitchens.

Congratulations to the winning teams!

Kudos to the amazing student chefs who wowed judges and guests 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. The team will also 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.

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 (leafy greens and cabbage salad) 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 Menu New Orleans Chicken and Polenta Napolean Mardi Gras Confetti Salad Royal Orange Hoppin' John 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

 

Kudos to all the other impressive teams who took on this challenge:

Corliss High School
Culinary Students: Shonna Ervin, Taylor Greer, Jenard Johnson, Keon Lawrence, Margo Long, and Deona Penny
Mentor: Chef Heidi Hedeker of Kendall College
Culinary Instructor: Lois Martin

Harper High School
Culinary Students: Cierra Brown, Vishena Johnson, Lisa Miller,
Menajah O'Neal, Veronique Sharp, and Elissa Williams
Mentor: Chef Steven Obendorf of Quest Food Management
Culinary Instructors: Darlene Austin and Alan Forte

Manley Career Academy
Culinary Students: Coming Soon
Mentor: Chef Joel Nickson of Wishbone
Culinary Instructors: Ken Polk and LaTeeya Toombs

Marshall Metropolitan High School
Culinary Students: Ragiene Brice, Dorian Brown, Jeremy Jackson,
Myescha James, Ariel Robinson, and Heaven Sims
Mentor: Chef Dobra Bielinski of Delightful Pastries
Culinary Instructors: Simone Henderson and Kim Minor

North-Grand High School
Culinary Students: Nicholas Guerrero, Alisia Lilliebridge, Mario Marban,
Dora Marron, Manual Nuñez, and Roman Pareja
Mentor: Chef Jacquie Wallner of The Swedish Bakery
Culinary Instructor: Willie Chatman

Prosser Career Academy
Culinary Students: Destiny Beal, Kwan Brown, Dominique Davis,
Patrick Pytka, Angelica Ramirez, and Brianna Sappington
Mentor: Chef Kevin Kelly of J&L Catering
Culinary Instructor: David Kulasik

Tilden Career Academy
Culilnary Students: Avery Allen, Ashely Flowers, Patricia Hayes,
Aguster Reed, Cashay Saunders, and Carnell Thomas
Mentor: Chef Evelyn Hitchcock of J&L Catering
Culinary Instructors: Dan Leszczewicz and Keith Morris

Washington High School
Culinary Students: Vanessa Arnold, Melida Chacon, Marina Nava,
Karen Rivera, Leon Sanchez, and Emmanuel Zetina
Mentor: Chef Joanne Petersen of three poppies
Culinary Instructors: Tai Sellers and Lucille Thervil