Send a Chef Demo Event Flyer to the PTO/PTA to distribute to parents. Also, send flyers to administration to hang up around the school. Ask administration to remind students and teachers about the event during morning announcements.

Contact your school or district to find out about their in-school volunteer policies for both parents and outside volunteers.

Invite PTO/PTA to participate with a Volunteer Outreach Letter. If there is not a strong parent presence available, you can invite community members or college volunteers.

Note: It’s helpful to send your volunteer guide along with the letter so that parents know what will be expected of them during the event. Here is a Sample Volunteer Guide.

Inform all onsite kitchen staff about their responsibilities leading up to, and for the day of the event.

If this is your first chef demo event, you’ll want to order food and supplies with the assumption that 100% of the student body will participate. If you plan on continuing these events, you can anticipate 80% participation. Make sure that you order any necessary portion cups, plates, or sample boats with forks or spoons for serving.​

If you’re demoing a low-participation menu item, we suggest that you hold the event the day before that item is being served on the menu so that you can encourage kids to buy school lunch the next day.

Identify all potential allergens in order to relay this information to all onsite staff and volunteers.

Prepare all necessary equipment including portable burners, fuel, sautée pans, serving utensils, knives, cutting boards, towels, gloves, etc.

If you plan on taking pictures or video of the event for social media or other external marketing purposes, make sure that you understand the school’s protocol for obtaining media releases. This includes gaining permission from guardians of students as well as any adults featured in the images.

Instruct chefs and volunteers to arrive 30 minutes prior to lunch.

Welcome all chefs and volunteers and show them around the kitchen. Introduce chefs and volunteers to the staff and explain general kitchen ground rules, sanitation, allergens, and appropriate behavior found in the volunteer guide. Encourage everyone to actively engage students in conversation about the demo and to ask them about their experiences with cooking. Designate a volunteer/intern to take pictures, and make sure they follow your district’s photography protocol.

Set up the cooking station with all the necessary equipment.

Start cooking before the lunch period begins; the aroma will draw students to the station.

If time permits—and sanitary and safety procedures are followed—invite students to participate in the cooking.

Instruct kids to dispose of all sample cups and utensils in proper waste receptacles. The custodial staff will be very grateful!