Lexington Independents

IN THE SPOTLIGHT...Nicole Short!?Proud to Celebrate "Food Connects Us", the 2025 National Nutrition Month Campaign.?Nicole is dedicated and provides essential support to our students’ nutritious food experiences at our Lexington Independent Schools. Nicole's valuable insights for both our teams and clients do not go unnoticed.?Thank you, Nicole, for being such an essential part of our success!?#independentschools #nationalnutritionmonth #foodconnectsus #registereddietitians #studentexperiences #nutritiousfoods #culinaryexperiences

Celebrating our incredible teams on Employee Appreciation Day. Committed to feeding our students at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts through a snowstorm which the state rarely experiences!?Food Service Director Terry Bryant and dining team members served students during the snowstorm emergency to ensure students monthly birthday parties were not missed! In addition to catering for the celebration, the team proudly served 240 students breakfast, lunch, and dinner.? A huge thank you to our dining team from left to right Chris Hunt; Teresa Hall, Ashley Harrell and Devin Smith. #independentschools #birthdaycelebrations #studentexperiences #employeeappreciationday

February marked Black History Month, a time to honor, celebrate and educate students on the rich culinary culture. Students at Abington Friends School (AFS) in Jenkintown, PA, enjoyed samplings of Calypso pork loin over tomato jam with mango papaya sauce and salmon cakes over pepper rice.?Thank you to the team who provided the education and culinary, a powerful way to bring students together through shared traditions and flavors! From left to right, Saidah Giraud, AFS Second Grade Teacher and Black History Month Coordinator; Lexington Food Service Director Joshua Mills and Lexington District Manager Kristina Coble. #blackhistorymonth #culinaryexperiences #studentexperiences #independentschools #teameffort #collaborations

Happy Valentine's Day...! Students at Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, WA, enjoyed adorable home-made cupcakes and hand dipped white and chocolate covered strawberries. Thank you to Food Service Director; Jodie Walker and her team who served the students these sweet Valentine's Day treats! #valentinesday #independentschools #studentexperiences #foodexperiences #sweets #bakedgoods ?

Thank you to the Lexington Dining team led by Food Service Director Jodi Walker at Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, WA, celebrating the importance of breakfast during Granola Day! The team offered BeWell housemade granola bars, plus a vegan sweet option! The?American Academy of Pediatrics?finds that eating breakfast helps students have more energy and better concentration during school than if they skipped breakfast. Studies also suggest that students who eat breakfast?perform better on tests?and can better complete challenging mental tasks. #breakfast #independentschools #foodexperience

Happy Thanksgiving from Parklane Academy in MS, where students are grateful for this delicious meal...and we are thankful to the dining team who prepared this holiday meal with care. #independentschools #foodexperiences #happythanksgiving #teamwork #studentexperiences

Students from many Lexington-managed schools including Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, WA, are being treated this week to their Thanksgiving feasts.?From fresh turkey, traditional sides to these adorable homemade mini pies, who can resist the delicious meals Food Service Director Jodie Walker and her team prepare for students with “care” during this time to be thankful!? Thank you team!?Look for more Thanksgiving events from our schools tomorrow and next week! #thanksgiving #thankful #privateschools #studentexperiences #traditionalfoods #homemadepies

We are proud to announce Lexington's Chef of the Year Joel Shapiro of the Collegiate School! Chefs are selected based on leadership, culinary expertise, passion for food and most importantly, exceeding the dining experience expectations for clients and independent school students! Congratulations, Joel, on your well-deserved honor! #chefofyear #executivechef #culinaryexperiences #independentschools #leadership #passionforfood

In the spirit of the season...Under the culinary direction of Chef Rhodine Davis, the Lexington Dining Team at UMS-Wright Preparatory School created this spectacular luncheon for the annual UMS-Wright Golf Outing, benefiting scholarship funds for the school.? Incredible talents - the menu featured Herb Roasted Grouper, Pork Belly, Smoked Chicken, Shrimp Skewers, Roasted Vegetables, Truffle Mac & Cheese, Poke Bowl, Strawberry Fields Salad, Fall Salad, and assorted desserts.?Baker Rebecca Cumbaa made the beautiful bulldog cake! #culinary #catering #foodexperience #diningservices #indepedentschools #executivechef #pastrychef #baker #teamwork #diningspecialists

CHEF SPOTLIGHT...Meet Executive Chef RYAN SILER who provides his culinary expertise as the food service director at Parklane Academy, a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. Chef is pictured here with his new foods tasting for the administration and school board directors. Chef Ryan received many culinary awards from a best entrée in the Mississippi Wine and Fork to the 2016 Signature Chefs Auction for the March of Dimes!?Chef received his culinary degree through Community Engagement Center courses at the The University of New Mexico. Some of his innovative culinary specialties include street tacos offered on the global fair station to braised chicken thighs with New Mexico hatch chilies, topped with cilantro Spanish onions jalapenos and queso fresca served with limes. “This is a hectic profession when you can keep your head and thought processes solid in chaos -- that’s when you can become a true leader. Respect is earned and is not easily given. Support your people and you’ll find you can always count on them." ?We are grateful for Chef’s culinary leadership and dedication to the students, faculty and to the many guests who enjoy his fabulous culinary creations! #culinary #chef #independentschools #studentexperiences #foodexperiences