Student-Made Spring Rolls Win at GCS Cafeteria Choice Challenge

Guilford County, N.C. - When nearly 5,000 people streamed through the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro on Thursday night for the Guilford County Schools (GCS) annual Choice Showcase, none of them could miss the delicious smells from the district’s first-ever Cafeteria Choice Challenge.  

Culinary students from High Point Central High and Weaver Academy went head-to-head, putting their imagination and culinary talents to a vote. Both the Weaver Academy team, Coached by Chef Adam Donahue of 1618 West and the High Point Central team, Coached by Chef Chip Hallman of 1618 Midtown worked for weeks to brainstorm and develop dishes that meet federal nutrition standards while appealing to student tastes. The goal was to create a healthy menu item that was flavorful and affordable enough to serve in cafeterias districtwide.  

The results were mouthwatering. Each team prepared two original recipes, demonstrating their skills in planning, preparation and presentation: Ancho Braised Chicken, Spanish Rice, Mexican Braised Pork Shoulder Spring Rolls and Sweet N’ Sour Korean Style Meatballs.  

“There was a lot of trial and error,” Angie Hart-Mercado, a student at Weaver Academy, said while explaining how students tested different ways to plate their award-winning dish – Mexican Braised Pork Shoulder Spring Rolls. While the competition posed natural challenges for teams, it also brought opportunities for students to rise to leadership positions in the hopes of guiding their team to victory.  

Landon Hartman, a junior at Weaver Academy, says his classmates designated him as sous-chef, Coach Donahue’s second in command. Hartman has wanted to be a chef since third grade and has dreams to follow in his father’s footsteps and lead a kitchen of his own. He’s already getting hands on experience as a prep chef at Green Valley Grill in Greensboro. His experience and interest made the role a natural fit. When asked how this competition differed from the kitchen at work, he said, “Working inside the kitchen at Weaver, you’re working with others, you’re learning how to communicate, how to work well with others and how to build connections with other people, which can go a really long way in life,” Hartman said. “My favorite experience was definitely helping my classmates, because sometimes people were down, they were getting stressed out because this was more hectic than what we’re used to doing, so helping them cooperate and work well together and fix everything was really fun.” 

As the line snaked around the showcase floor, families and students shared their excitement about their experience. “I’m taking culinary classes at GTCC right now,” one parent shared. “She [her daughter] is still thinking about what she wants to do, and she’s interested in being a chef, so knowing there are classes like this at a high school would allow me to show her what I know, while she’s in school too!” 

Adding to the excitement was the timing of the challenge, which started on one of the busiest days of the year for Guilford County restaurants, the High Point Fall Furniture Market. Both Chef Donahue and Chef Hallman’s restaurants juggled reservations and catering orders while coaching their teams. Both say they were excited to share their passion with young minds.  

“It’s been a really gratifying experience,” Chef Donahue, a GCS parent, said. “I thrive in high-pressure environments so having the kids in the kitchen by my side felt amazing.”  

“This was a ton of fun...,” said Chef Hallman, a GCS alum. “It’s great for them to be able to see a video on social media and know how to apply it in real life.” 

Guilford County Schools is committed to providing students with unmatched experiences like the Cafeteria Choice Challenge through the Guilford Guarantee which promises that students will have the opportunity to:  

• Earn at least a semester’s worth of college credits up to an associate’s degree; or 

• Obtain an industry-recognized credential; or  

• Participate in meaningful workplace learning experiences such as an internship, apprenticeship, or job shadowing. 

GCS offers dozens of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, including Culinary Arts, and more than 60 elementary, middle and high school Choice schools and programs that are designed around students’ interests and talents and prepare them for future careers.  

The application window for Choice schools closes on Friday, Nov. 28, at 5 p.m. Families can also learn more about CTE courses in their neighborhood schools by visiting www.gcsnc.com/chooseandenroll and speaking with their school’s counselor.  

To see each team’s recipe, click here.