From US Navy to School Kitchens: Feeding 56,000 Kids a Day

from Fugitive Chefs · host Furqan Meerza

Most chefs chase stars.Kevin Jenkins chose something else.After 10 years as a culinary specialist in the US Navy, Kevin now leads school nutrition across Garland ISD in Dallas — helping feed nearly 56,000 students every day.For many of those kids, school meals aren’t just food. They’re the most reliable meal of the day.In this episode, we talk about:What cooking at scale really looks like (and why it’s harder than you think)Why systems matter more than talentThe hidden impact of school food on health, culture, and dignityHow to make food taste great within strict nutrition guidelinesWhy this might be one of the most important jobs in food todayThis is a conversation the chef world rarely has — but probably should. If you’ve ever thought impact only happens in restaurants, this episode might change your mind.🎧 Fugitive Chefs is your window into alternative culinary careers and bold food innovation. New episodes every Tuesday.👉 Follow, rate us on Spotify, subscribe & comment on YouTube, and share with someone who’s questioning their place in the kitchen.🌐 Website: www.fugitivechefs.com📸 Furqan’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/4dtiyTv🎧 Podcast Instagram: https://bit.ly/43ndATO🎵 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3F6j25A🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/43vBtbT▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fugitivechefs

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 31, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

From US Navy to School Kitchens: Feeding 56,000 Kids a Day

0:00 38:38

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

Menu Stories Podcast Menu Stories Menu Stories is a multimedia collection of stories about the people and restaurants behind the food we love. Starting with the San Francisco restaurant community, Rebecca Goberstein gets the rare opportunity to interview the chefs, restaurateurs, deli shop owners, and food makers to learn more about who they are, their inspirations, and their motivations. Visit Menu Stories (http://menustories.com) to uncover the stories behind these culinary artists and small business owners who feed and nurture our communities. WildFed Podcast — Hunt Fish Forage Food Daniel Vitalis Hosted by Daniel Vitalis, The WildFed Podcast is about deepening your connection with the natural world through hunting, fishing, foraging, and, of course, food. It's about the wild food that's freely available on your landscape, at the edges of your town or city, and sometimes just outside your door. The podcast consists of interviews with biologists, authors, wildlife managers, foragers, hunters, anglers, chefs, friends, and plenty of educational and inspirational solo shows too. WildFed — Food Is All Around You. Restaurant Hoppen Hurrdat Media Dan Hoppen breaks down the Nebraska cuisine scene one bite at a time. He talks to local chefs, media members, and just interesting people about what's going on in the Cornhusker State when it comes to food, where people need to eat, and how food relates to Nebraska sports. Starving for Attention with Richard and Jazmin Blais Richard Blais Get an entertaining, behind-the-scenes look at the world of food with this chef, television personality and author. Hear from anyone and everyone in the culinary industry, including restaurateurs, television hosts, famous chefs, producers of your favorite cooking and competition shows and more. They'll join the Blaises for spontaneous, back-of-house conversation about what it takes to make it in different parts of the food business, global trends and where the industry overlaps with entertainment. Plus, play along with their games, trivia and other wacky moments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Fugitive Chefs?

This episode is 38 minutes long.

When was this Fugitive Chefs episode published?

This episode was published on March 31, 2026.

Can I download this Fugitive Chefs episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!