A group of seventh-grade students in the Family and Consumer Science program at Kenmore Middle School brought home a first-place award in the 10th annual Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge, held March 5 at Hayfield Secondary School.
Kenmore’s team won first place in the lunch category for their quinoa-crust quiche and apple/arugula/wanut salad.
Six middle and high schools from across the region competed in the event, which had the theme “Buy Local, Eat Local” and asked students to source at least half of their ingredients locally or regionally.
The Kenmore team – Andre Larue, Ellie Leichtman, Norah Talbot-Lilly and Katelyn Cherbas – were led by led by Kenmore Family and Consumer Science teacher Mischa Bilanchone and received support and feedback from Chef Ype Hengst of Silver Diner and Mary Porter of Real Foods for Kids. They used spinach grown by Bright Farms in Cumberland, Va., as well as raw, unfiltered honey to highlight the importance of protecting native pollinators.
A version of the recipe created by Kenmore students is likely to appear on school menus across the region in coming months.