Five Elementary School Students Remain in 2017 Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 24, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services and student nutrition partner to nearly 500 school districts throughout the U.S., today announces the five student finalists in the 2017 Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge. This year, elementary school students from Sodexo-served school districts across the United States were tasked with creating healthy comfort food options that children or adults will enjoy. Beginning today, the public is invited to view student video submissions and vote for their favorite recipe on Sodexo Insights. Voting closes midnight on April 30th.

Now in its seventh year, the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge encourages healthy eating habits by actively involving students in good nutrition.  Sodexo is renowned for its work in advancing childhood nutrition, health and well-being and understands that engaging youth in the creation of nutritious meals is one of the best ways to improve health, fuel minds and improve academic outcomes.

Out of nearly 2,500 entries from students, the recipes from these five Sodexo Future Chefs:  Healthy Comfort Food Challenge national finalists rose above all the rest:

• Tylee Creps, Academy School District (Colorado) [Recipe: Tylee's Famous Granola Cups]
• Kayla Kilincoglu, Shelton Public Schools (Connecticut) [Recipe: Zucchini Waffles]
• Greydyn Gildroy, Helena Public Schools (Montana) [Recipe: Pretend Soup]
• Madison Bigej, Canby School District (Oregon) [Recipe: Cauliflower Tots]
• Emily Dustin, Richland School District (Washington) [Recipe: Apple Sushi]

Each of the five finalists made videos of their recipes, which can be viewed and voted on at Sodexo Insights from April 24 – 30th.

Students participating in the program represent more than 1,300 Sodexo-served elementary schools in 256 school districts and 30 states. A panel of judges reviewed the recipes and evaluated them based on the originality, healthy attributes, ease of preparation, kid-friendliness and plate presentation. Programs like the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge are part of Sodexo's commitment to health, well-being and support for the school districts and communities in which it serves and operates.

Sodexo is committed to taking measurable sustainable actions that ensure a brighter future in the areas of health and wellness, environmental stewardship and community development. The Future Chefs program is one of the many ways Sodexo shares its health and well-being expertise with the clients, customers and communities it serves. Another example is Sodexo's use of research-based principles recommended in the Smarter Lunchroom Movement – developed by the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs – to equip primary and secondary school lunchrooms with tools to improve the eating behaviors of children. 

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.

Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights. You can also join the Sodexo Future Chefs social media conversation by using the hashtag #SDXFutureChefs in related Tweets and posts.

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SOURCE Sodexo