How Aramark Student Nutrition’s Virtual Cooking Initiative Became a Trenton Public School District Community Staple

Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aramark Student Nutrition at Trenton Public School District has provided a creative solution that has grown into one of the most engaging and community-building programs across participating schools. 

Through a weekly virtual cooking demonstration, launched in early 2020 to help keep students connected during remote learning, this virtual cooking show has evolved into a hands-on culinary experience that brings families together and encourages lifelong healthy habits.

The program’s concept was simple but intentional: select an Aramark recipe from the Aramark Student Nutrition team, package the full set of ingredients for each student—enough to feed a family of four—and send it home for an evening of cooking, connection, and fun. 

“We wanted students to spend time with their parents or siblings in the kitchen during what was a time of lost connections,” said Aldi Como, Aramark Student Nutrition General Manager at the Trenton Public School District. “It wasn’t just about the meal. It was about family bonding and the life lessons that come from cooking together.” 

Now, six years later, the initiative continues to flourish. 

“We partner with different schools to ensure we are providing the opportunity to a variety of students,” said Como. “We distribute the meal packages before students are dismissed. Once they get home, we log into our virtual meeting rooms, and we walk step by step on how to produce the meal. We encourage the students to put their spin on certain recipes to show their creativity.” 

While dishes bake or simmer, the team will oftentimes incorporate videos of ACE—Aramark Student Nutrition’s mascot, who illuminates healthy choices for students, promoting healthy eating and active living. The team even has an ACE costume on hand so that the character can cook alongside the chef onscreen. The experience doesn’t end when the cameras turn off. The following day, ACE will visit the participating school in person to greet students, reinforce healthy habits, and build enthusiasm for the next cooking session.

At the end of the school year, all the recipes featured throughout the program are compiled into a community cookbook. 

“A major force behind the initiative is the Aramark Student Nutrition team’s in-house culinary expert, Chef Jenise, whose on-camera presence and ability to connect with students became central to the program’s success,” said Como. 

What started as a temporary solution now stands as a model for how food education can strengthen school communities and make mealtime memorable outside of the lunchroom. The program continues to blend nutrition, creativity, and community—three ingredients that remain just as essential today as they were when it launched six years ago.