Kid Chefs Wanted: FHSD to host 3rd annual cooking competition for elementary students
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The Francis Howell School District is gearing up for its third annual Future Chefs National Challenge, sponsored by Sodexo, the District’s food service provider.
This year’s theme is “Passport to Flavor,” and the competition will feature ten finalists, with one student representing each of the District's ten elementary schools. These young chefs will showcase their culinary talents at Francis Howell High School on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2026. The winner will advance to the national level, where they’ll compete for top prizes.
The event is designed to inspire young students in grades K-5 to develop cooking skills while offering a glimpse into the hospitality industry. Past winners include Davisha Reddy Chintu, a third grader from Harvest Ridge Elementary, and Hridaya Bhatt, who won the inaugural event in 2024 with her sandwich dhokla.
This year’s competition will begin with students preparing their dishes starting at 5 p.m., followed by awards at 6:30 p.m.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To compete in this year’s challenge, parents are encouraged to submit their child’s recipe to Sodexo head chef Karin Mann by Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. For more details, email Karin Mann.