Training
Cooking for Kids
We provide recipes, training and professional consultations for Oklahoma schools adjusting to the updated USDA school nutrition requirements. We’re here to help, working side by side with child nutrition professionals to determine positive changes we can make in Oklahoma school lunchrooms.
Our Goals
Cooking for Kids aims to change the landscape of school nutrition through chef-led culinary training for school nutrition professionals resulting in:
Greater availability of freshly prepared foods
Increased student participation in school meals
- Expanded public support for child nutrition programs
Our Process
We offer skill-development training, culinary management training, and hands-on chef consultations.
Step 1:
Skill Development
Cooking for Kids Skill Development Training is a comprehensive, three-day culinary training program for child nutrition professionals. Priority will be given to kitchen managers and head cooks with enrollment of up to five representatives per school district. Skill development training enhances culinary management training. When combined they prepare a school district for personalized lunchroom planning with a Cooking for Kids professional chef consultant.
Skill development training covers learning how to:
- Review and taste new recipes
- Strengthen focus on food safety, knife skills and mise en place
- Effectively use flavor-enhancing herbs
- Improve results with whole grains and vegetables
Upcoming Training Events
There are no training events currently scheduled. Please check back later.
Step 2:
Culinary Management
Culinary Management Training is a two-day training that is recommended for individuals responsible for menu planning and procurement such as child nutrition directors, managers, and school administrators. Culinary management training enhances skill development training. When combined they prepare a school district for personalized lunchroom planning with a Cooking for Kids professional chef consultant.
Culinary Management Training covers:
- Advanced menu planning with an emphasis on variety
- Commodity processing
- Smarter Lunchroom practices
- Food trends for feeding today's youth
- Local food sourcing
- Professionalism and staff development
Upcoming Training Events
There are no training events currently scheduled. Please check back later.
Step 3:
On-Site Chef Consultation
During the Cooking for Kids Chef Consultation, an industry trained consulting chef will partner with the SFA to assess needs and develop a personalized action plan for the school district. This will be achieved through a series of onsite visits during the school year. The service is provided at no charge to the school district. An on-site consultation with one of our professional chefs will teach you how to:
- Develop your menu
- Assess your procurement process and equipment
- Develop work schedules
- Develop and implement a marketing plan
Priority will be given to those school districts that have completed skill development training and culinary management training.