2025 Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge

The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge is an annual event that gives students in the National Capital Region a platform to influence and change what is served in their school cafeterias.

Since 2012, hundreds of middle and high school students from across the DMV have competed in the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge. Along the way, they have created exciting new school lunch options for hundreds of thousands of area students and influenced school food professionals to embrace healthier choices.

The "challenge" at the heart of this competition mirrors the one faced by school food professionals every day: crafting healthy and delicious menu items that adhere to USDA guidelines and strict per-meal budgets. Lunch entries are judged by a panel of celebrated local chefs, culinary professionals, and local luminaries. The winning dish is featured in school cafeterias across the region the following year.

The 13th Annual Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge's Event Chair is award-winning Chef Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit, and Ype Von Hengst, Executive Chef and Co-Founder of Silver Diner, serves as the Culinary Mentor to competing students.

This year's judging panel includes:

• Masako Morishita, Executive Chef, Perry's
• Hollis Wells Silverman, Restaurateur, La Collina, The Duck and The Peach
• Rock Harper, Restaurateur, Queen Mother’s Kitchen, Hill Prince
• Forrest Gonia, Chef de Partie, Moon Rabbit, and former two-time Culinary Challenge competitor
• Samantha Reilly, Director of Contract Meals and Nutrition, D.C. Central Kitchen
• Olivier Lau, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C.
• Brian MacNair, CEO, Kitchen of Purpose
• Bee Thorp, Farm to School Specialist, Virginia Department of Education Food and Nutrition Services

Come and taste for yourself, then judge who has the winning recipe. Tickets are free, but space is limited, so secure your spot by registering today!

MORE DETAILS MAY BE FOUND HERE: .

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D ONATE TO REAL FOOD FOR KIDS

Your generous donation to Real Food for Kids helps support events like the Culinary Challenge and our ongoing advocacy work to improve school meal programs and support all students' health and academic success.

Give here: https://www.realfoodforkids.org/cc25-donate.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, United States