Greenville County, South Carolina, September 22, 2025

News Summary

Greenville County recently hosted the Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown, showcasing four culinary students as they competed for a chance to feature their dish on school lunch menus. This event, part of the Euphoria Festival’s 20-year anniversary celebration, emphasizes the importance of culinary education and healthy eating habits. Chef Dayna Lee mentored participants while renowned chefs Curtis Duffy and Thomas Raquel highlighted the event’s focus on culinary excellence. The festival, the largest yet with 57 events, aims to inspire future generations through nutritious and creative meals.

Greenville County Hosts Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown at Euphoria Festival

Greenville County, South Carolina – Four culinary students from Greenville County schools showcased their culinary skills at the annual “Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown” held on Sunday. This competition not only celebrates the creativity of young chefs but also provides students with the opportunity for their winning dish to be included on the school lunch menu.

This year’s event coincided with the Euphoria Greenville festival’s 20-year anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the festival. The throwdown has been integrated into Euphoria for nearly half of its existence, underscoring the importance of culinary education within local schools. The competition aims to promote healthy eating habits among students, aligning with nationwide initiatives that prioritize nutritious school lunches.

Chef Dayna Lee, owner of Comal864, played a critical role during the challenge as a mentor to one of the contestants, emphasizing how vital good food is for students. Each competing student pairs with seasoned industry professionals to refine their cooking techniques and presentation skills during the event.

Notably, the competition took place amidst a broader celebration of culinary excellence, featuring renowned chefs Curtis Duffy and Thomas Raquel, both of whom hold Michelin stars. Duffy has received three stars for his restaurant Grace, while Raquel is associated with the three-star establishment Le Bernardin. Their involvement highlighted the event’s focus on high-quality culinary practices.

Principal Matt Critell from Reedy Laurel Elementary noted the scale of the school lunch program in Greenville County, which serves over 80,000 student meals daily. The winning dish from the throwdown is expected to be featured on school lunch menus by October, giving students a taste of their peers’ creativity in the kitchen.

The Euphoria festival this year was a monumental occasion, featuring 57 events, the highest number ever for a single festival weekend. Morgan Allen, the executive director of Euphoria, labeled this year’s event as a banner year, thanks to an increase in local restaurant partnerships and the expansion of festival activities.

Additionally, the festival will host a public screening of the documentary “For Grace,” which narrates Chef Duffy’s remarkable journey as a chef. Following this screening on September 25, there will be a Q&A session with Chef Duffy. Tickets for the documentary cost $5 each but are available at no charge with a student ID.

This year’s festival also marked the first official partnership between Michelin and Euphoria since 2006, further elevating the event’s prestige. A highlight of the festival, the Michelin Coast to Coast guest chef dinner featured a five-course meal, priced at $350, allowing attendees to experience culinary excellence firsthand.

The Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown draws inspiration from First Lady Michelle Obama’s Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and aims to instill a foundation of healthy eating and lifestyle choices among students.

Event Summary

• Event: Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown
• Location: Greenville County, South Carolina
• Date: Sunday, during the Euphoria festival
• Participants: Four culinary students from local schools
• Aim: Promote healthy eating in school lunches
• Winning dish: To be added to school lunch menus by October
• Festival milestone: 20-year anniversary of Euphoria
• Attendance: Over 80,000 students served daily
• Featured chefs: Curtis Duffy and Thomas Raquel with Michelin stars
• Documentary screening: “For Grace” on September 25

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HERE Resources

Culinary Students Shine in Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown

Additional Resources

• WYFF4: Student Chefs Compete
• Greenville Online: Euphoria Festival Info
• Greenville Journal: Euphoria 2023 Photos
• Google Search: Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown
• Wikipedia: Euphoria

Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE

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