The Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division is holding its 8th annual Student Chef Competition. The competition consists of two parts: recipe development and a recipe cooking demonstration/replication. This competition not only meets Georgia education standards but also provides students with hands-on learning opportunities in a commercial kitchen setting. There is also the opportunity for student recipes to be featured on school lunch menus across Georgia.
The culinary competition is designed to encourage students to engage with School Nutrition Professionals and learn about school meal programs. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their culinary skills in a competitive environment and will gain valuable knowledge and skills in recipe development, food preparation, teamwork, and local food systems. The competition also aims to stimulate interest in locally produced foods in School Nutrition Programs. Recipes are to feature Georgia grown ingredients resulting in nutritious, student-friendly recipes which meet the standards of the school nutrition program.
The Middle School competition centers around the creation of a vegetable side recipe. The High School competition focuses on the creation of an entrée recipe. The High School statewide winner will also have the opportunity to move on and represent Georgia at the Southeast Regional Competition to be held in May 2024.
Student Chef Resources
Student Chef Competition Rubrics:
Student Chef Video Lessons
Team Registration Information
Team advisors can request a user ID and password for the competition website by emailing fuelingga@gadoe.org with (1) advisor’s name and (2) advisor’s email. You will be provided with a username and password within 7-10 business days after submitting the request. To best support teams, please ensure all emails include Student Chef 2024, Advisor Name, and School District.
Register by January 12, 2024
Complete Steps 1-11 by January 19, 2024
Complete Steps 12-15 by February 2, 2024
Announce Finalists February 14, 2024
Fiinalist Competition February-March 2024
Student submissions will be scored based on the rubric and top scoring teams will be identified. Teams who are selected to participate in the second phase of the competition will be notified by February 14, 2024.
The second phase of the competition will include:
-
Middle School: Teams submit a video and Culinary Specialists replicate the recipe.
-
High School: Culinary Specialist will visit the school to observe the teams as they prepare the recipes.
If you have any questions regarding the Student Chef Competition, please contact GaDOE Culinary Specialist,
Chef Michael DuBose.
Congratulations to all the teams who competed in the 2023 competition! To see who won,
watch this video.