Try 'Shark Tank' testing

We hold a “Shark Tank” event to generate new menu ideas. It allows staff to be creative and gives students a chance to select menu items they will be served. All schools participate in creating dishes at their school using one new ingredient. Each school then serves their new items for two months to see which item sold the best.

The best item from each school is then presented to a panel of student judges. Each school has to develop a marketing plan along with tastings of the items for judges to try. Each judge has a score sheet to record their favorite items and gives feedback on which items were winners and why. At the end of the event, the student judges select three winners which are then added to every school’s menu.

Vincent ScimoneDirector of Child NutritionGrossmont Union High School DistrictEl Cajon, CA