News Summary
Four culinary students showcased their skills at the annual ‘Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown’ competition in Greenville, highlighting creativity in school lunches.
Greenville, South Carolina – Four culinary students from Greenville County schools showcased their skills in the annual “Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown” held on Sunday. This competition offers students the opportunity to see their dish included in the school lunch menu, fostering creativity and innovation among the younger generation in culinary arts.
This year’s event was particularly noteworthy as it celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Euphoria Greenville festival, which has incorporated the “Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown” into nearly half of its history. The competition is designed to promote culinary education in local schools, aligning with the festival’s broader commitment to enhance the relationship between food and community.
Chef Dayna Lee, the owner of Comal864, emphasized the importance of the students’ experience in the kitchen and the overall quality of food served in Greenville County schools. The competition encourages students to collaborate with experienced industry professionals, providing them with a unique chance to learn and grow in a culinary environment.
During the contest, the students were empowered to take charge of their cooking process, with a strict 50-minute timer set for dish preparation. One of the student participants, Chef Elijah, demonstrated effective communication and teamwork skills while collaborating with Chef Lee, showcasing the potential of the younger generation in the culinary field.
Matt Critell, principal of Reedy Laurel Elementary, played a key role in hosting this vibrant event. He highlighted the significance of providing quality meals efficiently to students, mentioning that Greenville County serves over 80,000 meals daily across breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks. This commitment reflects the district’s mission to ensure students receive nutritious and appealing food options.
The winning dish from this year’s “Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown” will make its debut on the school lunch menus starting in October, enabling the students’ culinary creations to reach the broader student population.
This year’s Euphoria festival was the 18th annual event and saw a record total of 57 events taking place over one weekend, marking a substantial increase in festival activity. Morgan Allen, the executive director of Euphoria, noted that the event has seen enhanced participation from local restaurants and increased contributions to the community, demonstrating the growing importance of culinary culture in Greenville.
The “Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown” serves not only as a platform for students to display their culinary talents but also as a vital part of the Euphoria festival, bridging the gap between food education and community engagement.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News: Student Chefs Compete for New Dish
- Greenville Online: 5 Things to Know about Euphoria
- Greenville Journal: Euphoria Greenville Events
- Wikipedia: Food Festival
- Google Search: Cooking Competition
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
