Best Concepts: Global Eats from Chartwells K12 brings a world of flavors to kids

The school cafeteria is often one of the first places a child gets to taste and learn about foods from outside their family’s recipes or traditional cultural dishes, so by highlighting the unique ingredients and authentic flavors from cuisines around the world, Chartwells K12’s Global Eats program brings a world of flavors to school cafeterias across the country. Piloted in fall 2022 and rolled out nationally in early 2023, the program invites K-12 students on a food exploration that celebrates cultural heritages.

For its creative approach to promoting cuisine diversity to youngsters, Global Eats has been named the Best Management Company Concept category winner in the 2023 FM Best Concept Awards program.

The early returns have been very positive, with Chartwells K12 operators at pilot schools saying they observed increases in overall meal participation, with Global Eats menu options accounting for significant percentages of daily meals served. In the first few weeks of the national rollout, one district saw a nearly 10% increase in meal participation during their four-day feature.

Kids already are increasingly seeking out new ethnic foods and flavors, so Global Eats is designed to allow them to travel the world and learn about other countries and cultures from the comfort of their school cafeteria while prioritizing what they want—time together, a healthy planet, inclusivity and shared experiences.

For maximum flexibility, Chartwells K12 designed Global Eats with all students and schools in mind, developing age-specific nutrition education for elementary, middle, and high school students as well as serving options for the main cafeteria line, a dedicated station or a standalone chef demonstration table.

Development of Global Eats began with feedback from a survey rolled out to school-age students, which found that 85% said they would eat at the school cafeteria more often if they had a program like Global Eats. They also ranked countries spanning four continents to determine the first four stops on the Global Eats tour, which became Mexico, Italy, India and China, with recipes developed by the Chartwells K12 Culinary Innovation Council in partnership with celebrity chefs who specialize in global cuisines. The recipes feature unique ingredients and traditions incorporated into school meals to keep menus and lunchtime exciting.

A display of a Global Eats school meal featuring China at Alice ISD in Texas.

To represent China, celebrity chef Jet Tila created signature menu items filled with the flavors of ginger, soy and chilis such as “Sichuan Style” Mapo Tofu, Dan Dan Noodles and Char Siu Pork.

India is represented with dishes like Tandoori Chicken, Beef Kofta Curry and Sweet Potato & Spinach Vindaloo from Chef Aarti Sequeira, cookbook author and the winner of the sixth season of The Next Food Network Star.

Chef Aarti Sequeira, cookbook author and the winner of the sixth season of The Next Food Network Star, helped create Indian dishes for Global Eats

For Italy, kids taste authentic Italian cuisine like Penne Pasta with Chicken all’ Arrabbiata, Baked Cod “Cacciatore Style” and Brussel Sprouts “Cacio e Pepe.” Michael Toscano, the chef/owner of Le Farfalle in Charleston, S.C. and Da Toscano in New York City, collaborated on each featured recipe.

To represent Mexico, the dishes are simple yet packed with fresh flavors like lime and cilantro and the heat of peppers and spices. Chicago-based Chef Jonathan Zaragoza, whose family owns Birrieria Zaragoza, helped develop the menu, which includes Pozole, Albondigas con Arroz and Elotes.

Global Eats educational and fun materials display at Alice ISD in Texas.

In addition to new menu items, Chartwells K12 created a fun and engaging educational program packed with chef demonstrations, tastings, videos, and activities. From the diverse cuisines that develop across different regions within one country to the differing climates that allow for native produce to flourish, nutrition education through Global Eats gives students insight into why and how these recipes are tied to each culture. Lessons to accompany each featured country are available to teachers or foodservice associates to lead the fun and interactive activities in the classroom or cafeteria.

Beyond the cafeteria, the Global Eats website features recipe videos, reading recommendations and fun activities for kids and families.