Taking inspiration from the competitive cooking show “Chopped,†Sodexo is hosting Santa Rosa County School District’s first Chopped Competition. State Rep. Doug Broxson (R-Midway), Sheriff Wendell Hall, and Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick will battle it out in two cooking rounds with mystery ingredients found only in Santa Rosa County school cafeterias.
Sodexo’s Nutrition Director, Leslie Bell, said, “We are thrilled to support to MANNA Food Pantries and sponsor this worthwhile event in Santa Rosa County where more than 23 percent of children are at risk of hunger. It is a great way to raise awareness and highlight some of the talented students and leaders of Santa Rosa County. We would love to see this become an annual event.â€
Culinary teams from local schools will also compete in a dessert round. The audience will sample each dessert and vote for the “People’s Choice†award. All winning dishes will be placed on the school menus. The event will feature prizes, and a special guest appearance by Food Network’s Chopped Grill Master Champion and BBQ Pitmaster, Ernest Servantes.
Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick said, “On behalf of Sodexo and Santa Rosa District Schools, we look forward to the ‘friendly competition’ and an opportunity to give back to our community. May the best chef win!â€
MANNA Food Pantries is in need of additional donations to aid in their effort of alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“Last year, MANNA provided food to 10,004 people through our two pantries in Santa Rosa county alone,†said DeDe Flounlacker, MANNA Executive Director. “We also partner with the school district to provide weekend food through the Backpacks4Teens program, giving over 1,000 backpacks to homeless students last year. Events like Chopped help us to provide much needed food to the hungry.â€
Each person is requested to bring three (3) non-perishable food items to the event. Most needed items include: peanut butter, individually packaged breakfasts, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned fruit, and canned dinners.
CHOPPED
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21
Where: Milton High School, 5445 Stewart St.