Jingmei Elementary School Clinches Taiwan School Lunch Competition Title with Creative Seafood Education

Taipei's Jingmei Elementary School has emerged victorious at the prestigious 2026 Taiwan School Lunch Competition, a testament to the innovative spirit and dedication of our educators and students. Our team, comprised of nutritionist Liu Pei-hsuan and chef Chiu Hung-chun, clinched the top prize with a creative menu that masterfully integrated Taiwanese aquatic products and food education principles. Dishes like 'Milky Squid Rice,' 'Sheltered Garlic Wave Swordfish,' and 'Savory Shrimp and Tofu Soup' not only impressed the judges but also highlighted the rich biodiversity of our waters and the importance of sustainable seafood consumption.

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Milky squid rice, sheltered garlic wave swordfish, and savory shrimp and tofu soup

This win is more than just a culinary achievement; it's a celebration of our commitment to nurturing a generation that understands and values our local food sources. The competition's theme, 'Yearly Taste of the Sea,' perfectly encapsulated our goal to connect students with the bounty of Taiwan's seas through their daily meals. Jingmei Elementary's success, earning four major awards including the championship, the sustainable seafood award, the food education excellence award, and the elementary student choice award, underscores the effectiveness of this approach.

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Through the competition, we encourage frontline nutritionists and chefs to be creative and integrate fish-based education, allowing students to learn about Taiwanese aquatic products starting from the dining table and cultivate healthy and sustainable dietary concepts.

We are particularly proud of the recognition from international judges, including Ms. Hideko Shirai from Japan and Ms. Kim Jung-mi from South Korea, who praised our team's culinary skills and innovative use of local ingredients. The inclusion of student judges, like Cheng Yu-jui from Kaohsiung Zhongshan Elementary School and Yang Ting-ting from Chiayi Yushan Junior High School, further validates our efforts to incorporate student perspectives into food education. This victory, along with the 100,000 NT dollar prize and the opportunity for international exchange in Japan, inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of school lunch programs and food education in Taiwan.

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Jingmei Elementary School's dishes featured diverse ingredients and unique flavors, best representing the spirit of 'Yearly Taste of the Sea.'