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The district Child Nutrition Department recently completed a unique program at John Strange Elementary called the “Chef’s Move to Schools” initiative. Chef, Daniel Messmer is the research chef for Millennium Foods and currently the Chairman of the Board of the American Culinary Institute and lead coordinator of the Chef to School movement in Indianapolis. Perhaps the best credential that he holds, is the fact that he is also the son of the cafeteria manager at Northview Middle School!
“We are the first district here in Indy that has welcomed Chef Daniel into their school to assist with creating different healthy foods from our existing menu,” said Christine Stoner from MSDWT Child Nutrition Services. “On Wednesday we turned our ordinary cheese pizza into 3 different creations of a Mexican, Hawaiian, and Farmers Market Pizza! Chef Daniel helped our staff prepare and serve these pizzas and also gave the staff a lesson or two on knife skills and creative cutting of vegetables and fruit.”
The highlight of the day was Chef Daniel’s interactions with the students during each lunch period. He gave them lessons on pineapples, zucchini, tomatoes and the history of the chef hat to name a few. It was a very “hands on” experience for students.
As this project evolves, there are plans in the works to have 10 Culinary Institute chefs adopt different MSDWT schools next semester. On Wednesday December 12, Chef Daniel will be at Northview Middle School duplicating the program that was enjoyed at John Strange last week.
