On Friday, local chefs Michelle Bernstein, Kris Wessel, and Ken Lyon
simultaneously ran workshops in three high schools to introduce their
partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Short Order
followed Bernstein to North Miami Senior High, where
she led the school's cafeteria staff in preparing a new, healthier menu, which is vailable today as the school year kicks off.
Before she got to work on the
Asian chicken veggie wrap with sides of zucchini slaw and sweet
potatoes, she addressed the media and staff. "I'm not
leaving. I went to this high school. I graduated. I moved around, but
came back... I'll always come back... You're going to see a lot of
me." It's a promise that she, Wessel, and Lyon enthusiastically
made when presented with the opportunity earlier this year. The hope
is that more chefs will partner with
local schools.
The menu items resulting from the chef partnership are the first of several
options that North Miami Senior High, Miami Jackson Senior High, and
Miami Edison Senior High will offer students this year.
As the school year progresses, students enrolled in Family &
Consumer Sciences or culinary Programs will work with the chefs.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Department of Food & Nutrition, also notes rthere will be reimbursable vending
machines this year. They will alleviate long lines and dispense nutritious sandwiches, wraps,
salads, and their sides for $2.50.
Cafeteria manager Nachelle Williams oversees the 1200 lunches per day. She notes staples such as
pizza, burgers, and chicken sandwiches will be served.
Chef Bernstein hopes this workshop educates the lunch
ladies on cooking and using ingredients to their
greatest value. "You don't have to manipulate the food for the
the kids to appreciate it," she says.
