Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase
Ohio Grown:
Student Chef Showcase
The Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2022 Farm to School Formula Grant. The objectives of the formula grant are to:
- Build and increase the capacity of participating institutions to procure and use local food in program meals; and/or
- Provide agricultural education opportunities for participating children.
Purpose
The Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase is a student-centered competition to develop youth interest in nutrition and culinary arts career pathways through hands-on experience creating and cooking an original school lunch recipe. The contest focuses attention toward the value of consuming local, fresh, unprocessed foods that can be grown and readily sourced in Ohio.
Showcase Format
Phase 1
Teams of three to five students in grades sixth through twelfth attending schools participating in the National School Lunch Program will develop, test, and submit an original lunch recipe featuring at least one Harvest of the Month ingredient to the Department. All submitted recipes will be reviewed based on criteria listed in Appendix D of the request for applications (RFA). Teams must also submit a nutrient and cost analysis, food safety training confirmation, and photo of the finished dish with the application.
Phase 2
The top five submissions will be selected to cook their recipes at a live Cooking Competition held at Columbus State Community College on May 8, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Teams will have two hours to prep, cook, and plate their dishes. Each team will present their final dish to a panel of five judges who will score each team and determine an Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase Champion.
Before You Apply
Applicants must create a Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive digital folder in which the following application documentation will be uploaded:
Folders should be titled: "Team Name, School District, Additional Application Documents" When all documents are uploaded to the folder, verify folder access to James.Warner@education.ohio.gov. The folder web address must be shared in Question 25 of the online application. Once the online application is submitted, the digital folder will be reviewed to ensure Department accessibility. If the Department is unable to access the folder, you will be contacted to fix the issue prior to the submission date. Once verified, an email will be sent to confirm submission. Please keep for your records. A complete application must be received by Feb. 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Showcase Timeline and Deadlines
- Invitation to Submit Applications: Sept. 24, 2025
- Showcase Application Webinars:
- Showcase Applications Due: Feb. 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- Live Cooking Competition Team Announcement: March 2026
- Live Cooking Competition: May 8, 2025
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Katie Barnes, ADA coordinator, at ADAaccommodation@education.ohio.gov or 614-387-7716 (voice).
This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Last Modified: 12/5/2025 9:26:23 AM