Today's the Day for Cooking up Change! Video Spotlight: Student Perspective on the Winning Moment

At HSC, we're all fired up for tonight's Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest and benefit! This evening, one team of students learns that their winning school meal will appear on the lunch trays of lawmakers in Washington and in school cafeterias around Chicago and across the country. 

Elyssa Ford, Tilden Career Academy student, describes the feeling of her team's 2009 win in this video:

This year's students have already poured so much hard work into their contest entries for Cooking up Change. Want a sneak peek at their process? Watch this behind-the-scenes video (made by Curie High School students!) that shows some of their hard work in action.

Then check out the rest of our interviews with Cooking up Change supporters and participants:

• Tilden Career Academy student Henry Walton explains the difference he made in the lives of those around him; here.
• Chartwells-Thompson regional vice president Bob Bloomer says that Cooking up Change spotlights the successes and challenges of school food today; in this short video.
• Chef Patrick Williams, cooking contest co-chair, says that a good school meal gives kids a fair chance at succeeding in the classroom; here.
• Dan Lesczcewicz, chef instructor at Tilden Career Academy, talks about the behind-the-scenes look at healthy cooking that kids receive through Cooking up Change; here.
• Chef Tim Reardon at The Dannon Company, gold sponsor of Cooking up Change, says he's proud to see that HSC's mission aligns with Dannon's; here. 
• Chef Stephen Menyhart explains why Cooking up Change is "a phenomenal experience"; here.
• Student Aljibri Reed says winning Cooking up Change allowed him to see his team make a real impact; here.
• Nyah Griffin, a contest alum and current student mentor gives her perspective on the powerful experience of Cooking up Change; here.
• Chef David Blackmon, CPS program coordinator for culinary arts and hospitality, discusses the ways that Cooking up Change is about more than food in this short video.
• Louise Esaian, logistics officer and head of school nutrition for Chicago Public Schools, explains the power of the contest to help schools win, too, in this short video.
• Chef Jill Houk, cooking contest co-chair, explains the potential of Cooking up Change to raise awareness, in this short video.