Cafeteria Culinary Skills

Food served in school cafeterias is primarily pre-packaged and ultra-processed. We learned that Art Chin, former restaurateur, was turning the tables on how food was prepared in his cafeteria where he cooks with fresh produce, real meat, and a number of from scratch recipes. 

In the spring of 2024, The Centered Foundation joined forces with Art Chin, Cafeteria Manager at Broadway Elementary, and Clint Hufford, Troy City Schools Food Director, to pilot a Knife Skills Class for interested cafeteria staff. Participants worked with Art during this three hour workshop to learn how to correctly use a chef’s knife and proper techniques to safely and efficiently prepare bulk quantities of produce. 

It is our hope to offer this class again as part of a more comprehensive series of classes that schools can use to bring nutrition and cooking back to our local cafeteries and school-aged children. 

Cooking and Nutrition For Families 

Today’s youth lack cooking or nutrition experiences in their homes. Youth today may be up to two generations removed from households where healthy foods are prepared in house and  from fresh ingredients. It is our goal to combat this issue in a fun and accessible way. 

The Centered Foundation is hard at work developing a family-focused cooking and nutrition program for parents and children aged 8-12. The purpose of this program is to promote, educate, and empower families to have a healthy relationship with food and know how to cook nutritious and affordable meals at home. 

We envision this four-session program to have both classroom learning and kitchen hands-on time built into each session. And considering the positive impact that enjoying food together has one a family, participants will get to share the food they prepare during each session as well! 

Please stay tuned as more details of this Cooking and Nutrition program unfold.