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Students Cook Up Culinary Magic

January 23, 2025

What happens when future culinary stars, dedicated volunteers, and a passion for healthy living come together? A breakfast like no other! On January 23, Chefs for Kids put an exciting new spin on its beloved Cookin’ Up Breakfast initiative by partnering with a Nevada ProStart® school. Nearly 600 students and staff at C.C. Ronnow Elementary School enjoyed a free healthy breakfast — designed, cooked, and served by the talented student culinarians of Rancho High School.

A Full Circle Moment

What made this event extra special? Some of these high school chefs-in-the-making once walked the halls of Ronnow Elementary themselves. Others remember having Chefs for Kids visit when they were in elementary school.

“I was in elementary school at C.P. Squires where I got to experience Chefs for Kids at my school. So it’s really a full circle having to intern with the teacher in training at Ronnow Elementary School and doing culinary training here at Rancho. And now I get to cook for those kids. It’s really heartwarming to see what this program can get you to.” 

  • Monserrath Valencia, Rancho High School student 
A female student poses for a photo with a news reporter and photographer

Valencia and 17 of her Rancho High School teacher-in-training classmates from the Future Educators Academy rolled up their sleeves and pitched in. The students wrote and taught a lesson plan on the importance of eating a healthy breakfast for the schools to the K-4th grade students at Ronnow. The lesson was provided the week before the breakfast and then the Rancho students joined in on the fun during the breakfast itself, serving up Jamba Juice smoothies to the kiddos. 

A Breakfast to Remember

On the menu was a nutritious treat to fuel their day with healthy energy: a fruit breakfast pizza that brought smiles to young faces and had them asking for seconds. 

Adding a savory touch to the meal, Hormel Foods Sales generously donated turkey sausage patties — because no breakfast is complete without a bit of protein to power through the day.

Two female student chefs hold up a tray of breakfast pizza

Does this treat look too good not to pass up? Here’s the recipe so you can make it at home!

A Community Tradition with a Twist

Chefs for Kids’ Cookin’ Up Breakfast program is all about spreading love, one meal at a time. Each year, the program provides a free healthy breakfast to the entire student body and faculty of partner schools. Typically, these meals are prepared by professional chefs from Las Vegas’ top casino and hotel properties, restaurants, and the ACF Chefs Las Vegas. But this time, the spotlight was on the students of Rancho High’s ProStart® culinary program.

Their participation is a testament to the power of mentorship and education. It’s also a heartwarming example of how young people can step up to give back to the community that shaped them.

More Than Just Breakfast

The event is more than a meal — it’s a celebration of community, teamwork, and the importance of healthy eating. It’s a chance for Ronnow students to see what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. It’s an opportunity for Rancho High students to showcase their skills and give back to the school that helped build their foundation. And it’s a reminder that when local businesses, organizations, and schools come together, great things happen.

A Big Thank You

This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers and local businesses. A special shoutout goes to Hormel Foods Sales for their generous donation and to the staff and students of Rancho High and C.C. Ronnow Elementary for their hard work and enthusiasm.

So here’s to healthy meals, bright futures, and the power of community — one breakfast pizza slice at a time! 

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