2026 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 14th 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, NBC4 Anchor Eun Yang will moderate the Celebrity Chef Demo with Isabel Coss, Executive Chef at Pascaul and Executive Pastry Chef at Lutece. The Chef Demo follows live streaming of students as they present before this years' panel of judges, including:

• Matt Adler, Chef-Owner, Caruso’s Grocery and Cucina Morini
• Jamie Leeds, Owner and Chef, Hank’s Oyster Bar and Hank’s Pasta Bar
• Daniela Moreira (Dani), Owner and Chef, Call Your Mother & Timber Pizza Co.
• Paolo Dungca, Chef-Owner, Kayu
• Sidney Ide, Former Culinary Challenge student participant and 2025 Herndon Team Lead
• Jason Tepper, Executive Chef, Alexandria City Public Schools
• Chef Alex Levin, Executive School Chef, Sidwell Friends

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: .

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Real Food for Kids