Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase

Ohio grown student chef showcaseThe 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 6-12 attending schools  participating in the National School Lunch Program developed, tested, and submitted an original lunch recipe featuring at least one Farm to School ingredient to the Department. All submitted recipes were reviewed based on criteria listed in Appendix D of the request for applications (RFA). Teams also submitted a nutrient and cost analysis, food safety training confirmation, and photo of the finished dish with the application.

Phase 2

The top five submissions were selected to cook their recipes at a live Cooking Competition held  at Columbus State Community College on May 8, 2026. Teams had two hours to prep, cook, and plate their dishes. Each team presented their final dish to a panel of five judges who scored each team and determined an Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase Champion.

Student Chef Showcase Results

Congratulations to this year's top team and 2026 champion, Community STE(A)M Academy from Xenia! The winning students crafted their original recipe, the “Fajita Sunset Fiesta Bowl", a fresh, colorful salad featuring locally sourced vegetables, chicken, and homemade pico de gallo. 

Building on the continued success of the showcase, last year’s 2025 champion, Hamilton City School District (Hamilton, Ohio), earned top honors with their vibrant "Sweet & Spicy Rainbow Burritos".

Champion

  • Community STE[A]M Academy - Xenia team
    Community STE[A]M Academy     (Xenia, Ohio) -- Fajita Sunset Fiesta Bowl

Finalists

  • Defenders of Flavor: Youngstown City Schools team
    Youngstown City School District (Youngstown, OH) -- Defenders of Flavor Power Lunch
  • Hamilton Culinary Crew team
    Hamilton City School District     (Hamilton, Ohio) -- No-Pasta Beef Lasagna with Spicy Roasted Broccoli
  • JUAVE: Cory-Rawson Local Schools team
    Cory-Rawson Local School District     (Rawson, Ohio) -- Holy Cajun Trinity
  • Supreme Greene Team: Sycamore Community Schools
    Sycamore Community Schools     (Blue Ash, Ohio) -- Greene and Bold Bowl

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 Abbie Miller, 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: 7/8/2026 2:42:11 PM