Cooking up Change® – Greater Orange County
Cooking up Change® 2025: Empowering Student Leaders and Transforming School Meals
Thank you for helping make the 12th Anniversary of Cooking up Change® a huge success!
Thank you for helping make the 12th Anniversary of Cooking up Change® a huge success!
On April 3, 2025, talented high school students from across Orange County and the Inland Empire took the stage — creating bold, healthy, and affordable meals that meet real-world school nutrition standards.
This isn’t just a competition. It’s a platform for youth leadership, advocacy, and creativity in school food reform.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
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🥇 Rancho Alamitos High School
Crazy Curry Pasta, Bean Cucumber & Lime Salad, Cranberry Bliss Bar -
🥈 Bolsa Grande High School
Korean-Inspired Chicken, Fried Rice, Roasted Broccoli, Pear Salad -
🥉 Lynwood High School
Pulled Pork Sandwich, Easy Creamy Slaw, Unique Peach
Every student chef demonstrated incredible passion, teamwork, and innovation — proving that students have the ideas and voice to change the future of school meals.
The 2025 Cooking up Change® Student Recipe Book is coming soon! Follow us on social media or join our email list to get notified first.
Together, we are building healthier futures — one student, one meal, and one community at a time.
Why Your Support Matters
Cooking up Change® is only possible through generous donations and sponsorships. Your support helps provide:
Buses and transportation so students can attend
Chef jackets, hats, and professional equipment
Practice food and competition ingredients
Training and leadership development opportunities
By supporting Kid Healthy, you help students step into leadership roles, develop critical skills, and advocate for healthier school communities.
Donate Today To Fuel Student Leadership
Note: Tickets are limited and selling fast. Purchase yours today to ensure attendance!
Event Highlights
Live Cooking Demonstrations
Witness student teams prepare their dishes in real-time.
Tasting Stations
Sample the innovative meals crafted by our young chefs.
Awards Ceremony
Celebrate the winners and acknowledge all participants’ hard work and creativity.
“It’s More Than A Competition”
“Cooking up Change® is more than a competition—it’s an opportunity for students to make a real impact on school nutrition while gaining invaluable skills.” – Kim Benson, Executive Director
The Impact of Cooking up Change®
Since 2012, Cooking up Change® has challenged Orange County high school students to create healthy, delicious meals that comply with national school meal standards. This program offers students hands-on experience in culinary arts, nutrition, and food science, preparing them for future careers while advocating for better school lunches.
- 🍏 Over 500 student chefs have participated and brought fresh ideas to school nutrition programs.
- 🏆 Winning recipes have been integrated into real school meal programs, benefiting thousands of students across multiple districts.
- 💡 More than 75% of participants express interest in pursuing careers in culinary arts or nutrition, showing the program’s lasting impact.
🌍 Student-led initiatives have inspired new school meal policies, improving food quality in underserved schools.
Support the Program
Can’t attend but still want to support? Your donation helps provide scholarships, culinary training, and advocacy opportunities for participating students.
Get Your School Involved!
Interested in bringing Cooking up Change® to your school? If you’d like more information about getting your school’s culinary team involved in next year’s competition, contact us today!
Follow Us for Updates
Stay connected for the latest event updates, behind-the-scenes footage, and student chef highlights!