Celebrating 15 Years of Culinary Excellence: Future Chefs 2025

Future Chefs 2025 winner cooking in the kitchen with Chef Daniela Soto-Innes.

2025 Future Chefs National Champion: Dezyah Dewitt! 

We’re excited to announce Dezyah Dewitt, a student from the Lexington 2 School District in South Carolina, as our 2025 Future Chefs National Champion! With her creative dish, Cheeseburger Cupcakes, Dezyah impressed us all, showcasing her passion for cooking and love of food. As part of her grand prize, Dezyah had the unforgettable opportunity to prepare her winning recipe alongside our partner and renowned celebrity chef, Daniela Soto-Innes, right at her school. 

Download the winning recipe

It’s incredibly inspiring to see young chefs using their creativity to tell meaningful stories through food. Cooking transcends borders, generations, and cultures. Watching the next generation express themselves through healthy, imaginative dishes gives me so much hope for the future of our industry. Being part of the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge is truly a joy. 

professional headshot of Chef Daniela Soto-Innes
Chef Daniela Soto-Innes 

Our 2025 National Finalists

kid in a white chef's hat and black apron with the 'Future Chefs National Challenge' logo, presenting a plated dish in front of a banner featuring the 'National Challenge' and 'Sodexo' logos

Cole Stark 

Roseburg School District, Roseburg, OR (Grade 5) 


Recipe: Asian Meatloaf with Lime Cilantro Rice & Cilantro Lime Crema 

Kid in a chef's hat and gloves presents a plate of food in front of a display table with a red tablecloth, which holds framed documents and a silver balloon, suggesting a cooking event or competition.

Jonathan DiFlavis

Cinnaminson School District, Cinnaminson, NJ (Grade 5) 


Recipe: Jonathan’s Baked Pork Dumpling Flowers 

Child wearing a chef's hat and gloves stands behind a table displaying small cups filled with fruit or desserts, participating in a cooking event with a sign reading 'Kids Can Cook National Challenge' and a poster celebrating young chefs

Josie Tedesco

East Hartford Public Schools, East Hartford, CT (Grade 5)


Recipe: Smoothie Bowl 

Child wearing a white chef's coat and hat holds a plate of food with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, white sauce, and parsley garnish, standing in front of a 'National Challenge by Sodexo' banner

Thomas DeAngelo 

Academy School District 20, Colorado Springs, CO (Grade 5) 


Recipe: Gyrolicious Sliders 

Future Chefs: A Place to Belong 

Long-standing programs like Future Chefs do more than spark creativity in the kitchen — they help ensure every student feels seen, valued and included. Discover how we can partner with you to foster a learning environment where inclusion and belonging empower students to thrive. 

Learn more