Six Pine-Richland Students Compete in Sodexo's Future Chefs Event
Nearly 30 Pine-Richland elementary students entered the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge earlier this year. Six finalists were named, and on March 6, came together at Eden Hall Upper Elementary to prepare their dishes for district judges, family and friends.
All students in grades 1-5 were encouraged to submit recipes based on this year’s theme, There’s No Place Like Home, which called for a favorite family recipe with a healthy twist. Six finalists were invited to Eden Hall’s kitchen to work with a Sodexo chef to prepare their recipes for tasting and judging.
Recipes are judged each year on taste, healthiness, kid friendliness, originality, ease of preparation, plate presentation and student chef presentations to the judges.
Finalists included:
- Madeline C., 5th grade—Madeline’s Lemon Chicken and Fried Rice
- Ty H., 5th grade—Pa and Mommo’s Morning Sausage Bread
- William B., 2nd grade—Hungarian Ham and Noodle Casserole (Sonkas Teszta)
- Claire S., 2nd grade—Porcupine Meatballs
- Hannah S., 1st grade—Grandma’s Christmas Bark
- Caroline S., 1st grade—Caroline’s Scrumptious Spanakopita Cups
As the first place winner, Madeline C.’s recipe for lemon chicken and fried rice moves on to regional judging. Five finalists will be named for national judging, and the ultimate winner will be announced in May.
The winning recipe, along with three additional student-created recipes from the contest, will be added to Sodexo school menus for the 2024-2025 school year.
