Students Serve Up Delicious Hits at A Taste of Arlington ISD event

Published on August 11, 2025

By Office of Communication

In this edition of Arlington Eats, we stopped by the annual A Taste of Arlington ISD event, where culinary students from across the district served up their own creations for the upcoming school menu. From lemon pepper chicken tenders to a beef kabob wrap crafted by a local restaurant alum, the tasting showcased flavors as diverse as the students themselves.

The program, By Students 4 Students, began several years ago at Bowie High School and has since grown to include all six Arlington ISD high schools. Students work within school nutrition guidelines to design dishes their classmates will love, with some recipes created in partnership with local chefs and restaurants.

“This is where we invite culinary students from the various high schools to showcase their recipes, which in turn we will feature on our school menus throughout the upcoming year,” said Food Service Director Leroy Claborn. “It gives them a chance to work in a commercial kitchen, network, and gain real-world skills.”

The tasting menu included standout items like the Chicken Pot Pie Croissant and Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders from Seguin High School junior Bella Valdez.

“It’s my first time here, and it’s an honor to have two of my dishes on the menu this year,” she said. “I even brought one of my mom’s recipes, the croissant sandwich, to share with my friends at school.”

Junior Anthony Alexander Romero from Sam Houston High School, who helped prepare the Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla, said cooking is more than just making food.

“I love to cook because it connects me to the community,” Romero said. “Food can represent so many people and cultures. It’s an art.”

With more than 1,100 RSVPs, the event not only filled plates but also reinforced the pride students feel in contributing to their school menus. And as Claborn noted, the dishes featured in the showcase will make their way into cafeterias across Arlington ISD this school year — proof that in Arlington, students are bringing both flavor and inspiration to the table.