Celebrity Chefs Prepare Asian Stir Fry for 385

Post date: Apr 05, 2013 1:55:2 PM

To break up lunchtime routine and increase awareness and participation in the District’s lunch program, the School Nutrition Services in the Wells-Ogunquit CSD offers Celebrity Chef Day several times per year.

Expanding on themes as ‘A Taste of Mexico’ or a ‘Taste of Italy’, well known guest chefs from the District and/or community work to prepare made-to-order stir fry featuring a wide variety of ingredients.

On January 30^th, ‘A Taste of Asia’ was featured in the cafeterias of Wells High School and Wells Junior High School.

At the high school, teacher Andy Lopez and School Nutritional Services Director Tyler Goodwin cooked on gas burners to serve 160 hot meals. At WJHS, 225 were served by Goodwin, Principal Chris Chessie and Assistant Principal Bob Griffin.

Goodwin says that while he and the celebrities cook out front and take special orders, his food service staff prepare the ingredients. According to Goodwin there is no extra charge to attend a Celebrity Chef Day.

At ‘A Taste of Asia’, students had a choice of many fresh ingredients including water chestnuts, scallions, peppers, snow peas, onions, and mushrooms to go along with chicken and brown rice.

Throughout lunchtime, Goodwin reported hearing many positive comments such as; "my favorite lunch", "best lunch ever" and "you should do this every day."

Goodwin added, “A lot of work goes into preparing these events which we hold 3-4 times a year.”

Caption: (l to r) WJHS Assistant Principal Bob Griffin, Principal Chris Chessie (center), School Nutrition Services Director Tyler Goodwin and Jan Tessier at WJHS. In the photo Goodwin is showing off his skills cooking with three pans at one time.