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 13, 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, Complete the plate with your favorite main dish, which sought creative ideas, twists on classics, trending dishes, or something completely new. 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:

• Caroline S., 2nd grade—Caroline's Delectable Lamb Gyros
• Lucas P., 1st grade—Lucas's World-Famous Chocolate Chip Pancakes
• William B., 3rd grade—Will's Macanese African Chicken
• Alena W., 4th grade—Alena's Famous Beef Stir Fry and Fried Rice
• Hannah S., 2nd grade—Hannah's Italian Pasta
• Melina P., 3rd grade—Melina's Stuffed Tomatoes

As the first-place winner, Caroline S.’s recipe for lamb gyros 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 2025-2026 school year.