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.
13th Annual Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Hayfield Secondary School | 7630 Telegraph Rd Alexandria, VA 22315
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
LUNCH CATEGORY
Luther Jackson Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools
C.D. Hylton High School, Prince William County Schools
Crossland High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Freedom High School, Prince William County Schools
Woodbridge High School, Prince William County Schools
Herndon High School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Falls Church High School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Woodson High School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Rock Ridge High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
Gwynn Park High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Henry Wise High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Theodore Roosevelt High School, DC Public Schools
BREAKFAST CATEGORY
C.D. Hylton High School, Prince William County Schools
Ballou High School, DC Public Schools
Takoma Park Middle School, Montgomery County Public Schools
Falls Church High School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Henry Wise High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Theodore Roosevelt High School, DC Public Schools
SNACK CATEGORY
Shady Grove Middle School, Montgomery County Public Schools
Gwynn Park High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Freedom High School, Prince William County Schools
Northwestern High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools
EVENT CHAIR
Chef Kevin Tien, Moon Rabbit
CULINARY MENTOR
Ype Von Hengst, Silver Diner
2025 JUDGES
COMING SOON
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)
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2024 CULINARY CHALLENGE SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
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IN THE NEWS
Top Chefs Join Forces to Elevate DMV Student Teams in Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge
Takoma Park Middle School Scores Fourth ‘Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge’ Win
Click to visit page and find out more about last year’s event!
