MCPS Students Cook Up Healthy and Unique Dishes at the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge

Shady Grove and Takoma Park middle schools participated in this year’s Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge, showcasing student creativity, culinary skills and a commitment to healthier school meals.

Shady Grove’s culinary team, led by teacher Anne Kozma, presented a Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad. Anne described the experience as “incredible,” noting how the students handled every aspect of the event, from preparation to presentation. “I couldn’t be more proud of how our students performed,” Kozma said. “They not only followed the competition’s rules, but also infused their dish with creativity and passion.”

One of her students, 7th grader Adrian, shared his excitement about the event: “It was great! I learned so much, especially how making food for a lot of people requires a lot of preparation. It was a fun experience, and I met some great people.”

Shady Grove’s team also earned the Community Choice Award for the snack category, a special award voted on by the public. “It’s a great recognition for our students,” Kozma said. “The community vote is a wonderful way for people to show their support and appreciation for what we do. It was exciting for our students to be acknowledged in such a way.”

Takoma Park’s team, led by teacher Heather Davis, presented an impressive menu with Enchilada Soup, Pupusa with Curtido and Street Corn Bowl for the lunch category, and Cauliflower Hash Brown, Egg and Sausage Cottage Cheese, Blueberries, and Almonds for breakfast. Davis emphasized that this year’s competition was all about student leadership. “From unloading boxes to plating the food, they were the ones who made everything happen. As a teacher, it’s amazing to see them grow through this experience.”

Although Takoma Park did not place in the top spots, Davis remained proud of her team’s dedication. “We followed the guidelines, created a recipe that could be replicated on a larger scale, and the students handled everything themselves with poise and professionalism,” Davis said.

The MCPS teams gained valuable skills in teamwork, cooking for large groups, and understanding the complexities of school nutrition. Adrian summed it up perfectly: “It was a great learning opportunity, and I’m excited for next year.”

Both teachers were thrilled with the growth they saw in their students, and they are already looking forward to next year’s competition. As Davis wrote in her email to the students: “We may not have won this year, but we should be proud of what we accomplished. We learned so much, and I can’t wait to see how we continue to grow.”