For the seventh year in a row, a group of Hillsborough County students got a chance to help set the lunch menu for the entire county next year.

  • 250 students rated 20 dishes
  • Three of the dishes rated will be included in next year's menu
  • Event now in its seventh year

A group of 250 students from elementary to high school gathered at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre for the event. They got to taste more than 20 dishes and rate each one using an IPad.

Three of those dishes will make the cut onto next year’s menu. Students did not take the job lightly.

“I take it very seriously because I eat this. I’m hungry, so I want something I can enjoy,” said student Antwanasja Crayton.

The dishes are probably not what you remembered from your school cafeteria days. They include gyro pitas, funfetti quinoa salad, and chicken meatballs over polenta.

Even Superintendent Jeff Eakins waited in line to critique the food. He joked with students as he rated a donut breakfast sandwich.

“It really allows our students input around what they eat," said Eakins. "We definitely want it to be nutritious and have all the right ingredients. But we want them to like it."

The final menus won’t be put together until the summer.