Meet the Finalists for the Powered By School Food Professionals Awards
January 27, 2025
The future of school food in California looks—and tastes—great. From scratch-cooked adaptations of student favorites to culturally authentic dishes that spotlight the incredible diversity of our students, School Food Professionals are cooking for change in every corner of our state.
To uplift the creativity and commitment of school food programs throughout California, we’re proud to announce the finalists for the Powered By School Food Professionals Awards. Supported by the Chef Ann Foundation, these awards uplift and celebrate excellence in school meal programs in every part of California. They include six categories: Best Original Recipe, Best Scratch-Cooked Adaptation, Best Farm to School Recipe, Best Take on a Culinary Trend, Best Culturally Relevant Recipe, and a community-driven recognition: the Community Choice Recipe.
Winners for the awards will be chosen by a panel of respected school food experts. Each winning program will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles for two of their team members to attend an exclusive celebration hosted by a well-known chef. Winners will also receive national recognition and personalized awards commemorating their impact.
Read on to meet the finalists:
- Best Original Recipe
- Cupertino Union School District (Cupertino, CA): Honey Gochujang Tofu with Purple Rice
- Marysville Joint Unified School District (Marysville, CA): Kickin’ Kiwi Salsa
- Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (Monterey, CA): Crispy Kimchi Chicken Sandwich
- San Luis Coastal Unified School District (San Luis Obispo, CA): Thai Basil Lentil Burger
- Best Scratch-Cooked Adaptation
- Azusa Unified School District (Azusa, CA): Chicken Wings
- Los Gatos Union School District (Los Gatos, CA): Chili Cheez Fries
- San Diego Unified School District (San Diego, CA): California Burrito
- Torrance Unified School District (Torrance, CA): Charcuterie Flatbread
- Best Farm to School Recipe
- Gonzales Unified School District (Gonzales, CA): Cauliflower Cilantro Rice
- Live Oak School District (Santa Cruz, CA): Kale Pesto Pasta
- Nevada City School of the Arts (Nevada City, CA): Whole Wheat Penne Pasta
- Western Placer Unified School District (Lincoln, CA): Summer Pasta Salad
- Best Take on a Culinary Trend
- Live Oak School District (Santa Cruz, CA): Peach BBQ Sauce Chicken
- Marysville Joint Unified School District (Marysville, CA): Carrot Burnt Ends
- San Luis Coastal Unified School District (San Luis Obispo County, CA): Veggie Pizza
- Upland Unified School District (Upland, CA): Vegan Lemon Blueberry Breakfast Bar
- Best Culturally Relevant Recipe
- Cupertino Union School District (Cupertino, CA): Butter Chickpeas and Naan
- Live Oak School District (Santa Cruz, CA): Barbacoa
- San Diego Unified School District (San Diego, CA): Birria
- San Francisco Unified School District (San Francisco, CA): Thai Style Rice Noodles
- Community Choice Recipe
- Live Oak School District (Santa Cruz, CA): Barbacoa
- Cupertino Union School District (Cupertino, CA): Japanese Katsu Curry
- Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (Monterey, CA): Crispy Kimchi Chicken Sandwich
- San Luis Coastal Unified School District (San Luis Obispo, CA): Thai Basil Lentil Burger
- San Francisco Unified School District (San Francisco, CA): Taco Pasta Bolognese
- Marysville Joint Unified School District (Marysville, CA): Kickin’ Kiwi Chicken Chili Verde
Finalists for the Community Choice Recipe award, which celebrates delicious, creative and healthy recipes cooked up by school food programs, were previously announced in December and voted on by students, parents, staff and school food advocates across the state, with tallies underway!
Winners will be announced in March, right here on the Powered By School Food Professionals website. For more information about the awards, and to find out about the winning programs, visit www.schoolfoodpros.org/awards.