Chef Chris Byrd focused on healthy, delicious meals and community outreach
September 23, 2016 – Longtime chef Chris Byrd has joined Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) as the district’s new executive chef. Byrd, a Sullivan University culinary graduate, will help lead the JCPS Nutrition Services team in preparing and serving approximately 100,000 meals a day to students across the district.
“I’m excited to join the JCPS Nutrition Services team and help guide the work of the district’s vision of preparing, empowering and inspiring all students to reach their full potential,” said JCPS Executive Chef Chris Byrd. “Healthy foods lead to a healthy mind, and in JCPS Nutrition Services we’re committed to providing meals to our kids that are not only nutritious, but taste great as well.”
As the district’s executive chef, Byrd will work alongside the JCPS Nutrition Services team to enhance current recipes and create new ones as well as incorporate even more local foods in schools menus. Additionally, Chef Byrd will participate in health fairs and other community outreach programs – helping educate families about healthy meals they can prepare together at home.
Prior to joining JCPS, Chef Byrd served in the Chefs in Schools Collaborative, led by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in partnership with the National Farm to School Network. Under the Chefs in Schools Collaborative, Byrd spent time in four Kentucky school districts educating food service personnel about incorporating fresh local foods in their menus, knife skills and proper handling of foods, taste testing with students, and recipe and menu development.
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