Yuma High Culinary Arts students partner with YUHSD Student Nutrition in kitchen takeover

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Yuma High School culinary arts students partnered with the Yuma Union High School District's Student Nutrition team on a kitchen takeover event that gave students hands-on experience preparing and serving meals, developing recipes, and marketing school menus.

The collaboration began with an idea from YUHSD Executive Director of Student Nutrition Elena Hildreth, who worked with Yuma High culinary arts teacher Bobbi Nelson to bring the project to life.

Once Nelson's Advanced Culinary Arts students agreed, they began working alongside cafeteria staff to develop a themed menu, create promotional materials, and serve their fellow students.

The student-created menu featured a "breakfast for lunch" theme, with dishes including french toast with fruit topping, chicken and waffles with honey glaze, hash browns, cinnamon apple slices, breakfast crunch wraps, and breakfast pizza.

The students took part in every stage of the process, from operating kitchen equipment and preparing food to serving meals, washing dishes and cleaning up.

They also contributed ideas for seasoning and presentation while preparing new recipes that had not previously been served at Yuma High.

The YUHSD student nutrition team is already planning the next student culinary arts takeover event.

Yuma High's culinary arts program is part of YUHSD's Career and Technical Education program. It is one of six such culinary programs in the district and is part of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, a Career and Technical Student Organization.