Jackson Middle School Welcomes Special Culinary Guest
Students at the Middle School at Parkside in Jackson enjoyed a special culinary experience on Tuesday as a guest chef took over the lunch operations. Bruce Taher, CEO of Taher Inc., the company responsible for providing meals to Jackson Public Schools, visited the school to showcase a traditional dish from Spain.
Introducing Students to Paella
Taher’s visit on September 24 was part of an ongoing effort to introduce students to global cuisine. The featured dish of the day was paella, a beloved comfort food from the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The dish is a hearty combination of rice, vegetables, chicken, and seafood, served in a large, flat-bottomed pan from which it takes its name.
“We just like to create variety and excitement for the kids, and also to teach them about what’s happening in other countries,” Taher explained.
Bringing Spanish Flavors to the Cafeteria
Taher and his team set up a large pan in the middle of Parkside’s lunchroom and prepared the paella in front of the students. The traditional recipe was elevated with ingredients like mussels, shrimp with heads on, chorizo sausage, peppers, and plenty of paprika.
For many students, it was their first time experiencing such a dish. Elijah Stutzman, an 11-year-old student, found the paella particularly flavorful, despite being unfamiliar with eating shrimp with heads on. “It just tastes more like shrimp should,” Stutzman said. “It tastes more strong and flavorful.”
A Nationwide Culinary Tour
The “Paella Tour” is part of a broader initiative between Jackson Public Schools and Taher Inc. aimed at enhancing school meals. Over the course of the school year, more than 28,000 students, faculty, and staff across the country will have the opportunity to sample Taher’s paella as he visits other schools within his network.
These events are designed to bring excitement to school lunches while also offering educational value. “We have a number of chefs that come in and do different things, and each one broadens students’ horizons – that’s education,” Taher said.
Chef-Driven Initiatives for School Meals
Taher Inc. has long been committed to introducing chef-driven initiatives in schools. By doing so, they provide students with opportunities to experience diverse cuisines and flavors, making lunch more than just a traditional meal.
In 2002, Taher founded “The Chef Council,” a team of culinary experts that travels the world in search of new menu items, flavors, and techniques. Each year, the council visits a foreign country to gather inspiration for innovative dishes.
From Iran to Culinary Success
Bruce Taher’s story is one of success through determination and passion. Originally from Iran, he immigrated to the United States at 19 and spent the next 40 years building his family-owned food service company. Today, Taher Inc. employs more than 3,000 people and continues to expand its reach, providing meals to schools, businesses, and other institutions.
Through initiatives like the “Paella Tour,” Taher continues to blend education and culinary exploration, ensuring students not only enjoy their meals but also gain exposure to global cultures.
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