Skip To Main Content

News Details

future chefs competitors smiling and wearing their hard-earned medals
Sunnyvale Students Showcase Culinary Skills in Future Chefs Challenge

March 20, 2026

Five Sunnyvale School District elementary students competed on March 19 in Sodexo’s Future Chefs Challenge. The national initiative aims to get students thinking about making healthy food choices while encouraging them to get active and creative in the kitchen!

Sunnyvale School District joined several districts across the country in the competition. Judges included Board President Peggy Shen Brewster, KLAS Coordinator Kaleo Ah Yo, Child Nutrition Supervisor Armando Robles, and SSD Communications and Community Engagement Manager Alia Wilson.

Congratulations to Abigail, a fifth grader at Lakewood, who won first place for our district! Her Laksa Noodles with Tumeric Chicken recipe will be featured on the cafeteria lunch menus districtwide!

Congratulations as well to the other competitors: 

  • Samriddhi (second place) | 5th Grade | Cherry Chase | Savory Workout Waffles
  • Aria Elise (third place) | 5th Grade | Fairwood | Hawaiian Spam Musubi Bites 
  • Viaan (fourth place) | 1st Grade | Bishop | Mini Master’s Sweet Treasure 
  • Felix (fifth place) | 3rd Grade | Cumberland | Sichuan Street Food: Ye’er Ba 

All the competitors received a cookbook, a personalized apron and chef’s hat, a medal, and a certificate, plus extra prizes from Sodexo Chef Samantha van Gogh! 

The talent of our Future Chefs is truly impressive! We look forward to seeing more from our aspiring chefs next year!

Future Chef winner explains her dish to Board President Peggy Shen Brewster