  Chefs in the Classroom
The Network for a Healthy California—LAUSD Chefs in the Classroom program gives students the opportunity to try out their fruit and vegetable cooking skills as they work side-by-side with professional chefs. This collaboration brings chefs straight into the classroom so students can experience both the joy of cooking and the adventure of tasting beautifully prepared and presented fruit and vegetable dishes.
Our chefs are chosen based on their practical experience, flair for presentation and ability to model the best practices of their profession. The recipes are selected to highlight fruits and vegetables and represent the different cuisines found in the multi-ethnic Los Angeles community.
Each chef brings the ingredients and tools needed for the recipes, then carefully guides the students through safety and cooking skills. The combined effort of the chef, students and teacher creates a hands-on learning experience that is inspiring and engaging. History, language, social studies, art, mathematics and science are often woven into the cooking experience.
 Students are anxious to taste new foods when they have been actively involved in their preparation. Many are surprised at how delicious fruits and vegetables can be and that enthusiasm is carried home to their families. Each student receives a copy of the recipes created in the classroom, and on many occasions the students have recreated the dishes in their own kitchens at home.
Each year, we work with dozens of chefs who serve up approximately 600 Chefs in the Classroom visits – impacting more than 12,000 students annually in
Network for a Healthy California—LAUSD schools.
For more information on this program, please contact James McGroarty at (818) 609-2559 or james.f.mcgroarty@lausd.net, or Alex Hamilton-Smith at alex_hamiltonsmith@yahoo.com.
Meet the Chefs
Mindy Trotta - Pastry Chef, Instructor, Editor
Leslie Bilderback - Classically Trained Chef, Certified Master Baker, Instructor, Author
Jennifer O’Grady - Food stylist, Caterer, Instructor
Last updated 4/2009
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