Vaughn Occupational H.S. Students Win Cooking up Change Contest

CHICAGO, November 14, 2018 – Adrianna Sanchez, Ezequiel Jaime, Justin Griffin, Hector Pedromo, Litzy Besabe and Manny Ramos from Vaughn Occupational High School won Wednesday’s Cooking up Change® competition with their menu of Cajun Fish Po’ Boy, Elotes Salad and Apples Dippers. Their winning meal will be served at Chicago Public Schools next semester and the winning students also garnered scholarships to Washburne Culinary Institute.

Vaughn Occupational High School was one of seven high schools across Chicago that competed in the Cooking up Change® culinary competition Wednesday at the Bridgeport Art Center.

Healthy Schools Campaign’s Cooking up Change® is an annual cooking competition that challenges Chicago high school culinary students to create healthy, great-tasting meals that meet the real-life requirements of the school meal program and the budget of about $1.40 per meal. Cooking up Change® serves up life-changing opportunities, helps students realize their own potential and puts student voices front and center in the national dialogue about school food.

Healthy Schools Campaign launched Cooking up Change® in Chicago in 2007, and the program has since grown to include cities across the country. Every year, amazing Chicago student chefs present their meals to local leaders, policymakers and the culinary community at an event that also serves as Healthy Schools Campaign’s annual benefit.

“These students showed us the possibilities of redefining school food,” says Rochelle Davis, Healthy Schools Campaign’s President and CEO. “Each and every year, these students amaze us with their creativity, ingenuity and their delicious food!”

For the first time this year, teams also developed breakfast menus. Increasing breakfast participation at the high school level is a priority for Chicago Public Schools and getting ideas from students on what they’d like to eat for breakfast is a great way to ensure more students are getting a nutritious meal to start the day.

Healthy Schools Campaign couldn’t put on such a great contest every year without the support of its generous sponsors including: Presenting Sponsor, Aramark; Champion Sponsors EnvirOx and School Health Corporation; Official Beverage Partner, Goose Island; Official Scholarship Partner, Washburne Culinary Institute; and Official Education Partner, Chicago Public Schools CTE Culinary Arts Program.

The following students represented their schools with the following meals:

Chicago Vocational Career Academy
Student Chefs: Asia, Arturo, Darius, Sammya and Shalon
School Lunch: Asian Creole Glazed Chicken Leg Vegetable Jambalaya, Corn Maque Choux with Kick and Peachy Toast
School Breakfast: Southwestern Chicken Wrap and Orange Crème Crunch

Curie Metropolitan High School
Student Chefs: Derriaire, Ingrid, Markesha, Roberto, Quovon and Zulema
School Lunch: Cajun Drumsticks with Dirty South Rice, Sautéed Broccoli and Peach Cobbler
School Breakfast: Sunshine Wrap and Cinnamon Applesauce

Juarez Community High School
Student Chefs: Andrea, Cesar, Dafne, Eduardo, Julissa and Lisbeth
School Lunch: Spicy Fried Chicken and French Toast, Sweet and Sour Salad and Cinnamon Apple Parfait
School Breakfast: Waffle Breakfast Sammie and Apple Yogurt Salad

Prosser High School
Student Chefs: Cindy, Diamond, Emily, Luis, Shannon and William
School Lunch: Thai Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry, Vietnamese Veggie Coleslaw and Chinese Spiced Pear Tart
School Breakfast: Spicy Egg Burrito and Bananas

Roosevelt High School
Student Chefs: Brayan, Catherine, Deaveyon, Jeffrey, Kimberly, Rachel and Sheila
School Lunch: Deconstructed Mexican Stuffed Pepper, Rough Rider’s Salad and Apple Dish
School Breakfast: “Wich” Came First, the Maple or the Egg? and Banana Peach Splash

Simeon High School
Student Chefs: Brittney, Felicia, Jade, Nya and Tyriq
School Lunch: Chicken Burrito, Inside Out and Parfait
School Breakfast: Wolverine Special and Saucy Boss

Vaughn Occupational High School
Student Chefs: Adrianna, Ezequiel, Justin, Hector, Litzy and Manny
School Lunch: Cajun Fish Po’ Boy, Elotes Salad and Apple Dippers
School Breakfast: Vaughn Veggie Muffin and Fruit Parfait

ABOUT HEALTHY SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN
Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) is a nonprofit organization leading change for healthy schools at the local, state and national levels. HSC advocates for all students to have nutritious food, physical activity, health services and clean, healthy school environments, elements that directly support learning and health. In light of the vast health disparities our nation faces, HSC focuses on the health and wellness of low-income students of color and strives to make equity part of the public dialogue about education and health. HSC brings together parents, teachers, principals, school nurses, students, policymakers and partners to raise a strong voice for healthy schools, creating change at schools and at the district level in Chicago. This on-the-ground experience informs HSC’s national advocacy to benefit all students. This work is grounded in the belief that every child deserves to learn and thrive.