Chartwells, the dining services provider for Alvarado ISD’s child nutrition department, hosted a taste test on Thursday to help decide what menu item will be featured in the new Student Choice Line.

The two items highlighted were Roost’s Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and Mac-n-Cheesyology’s BBQ Pulled Pork Macaroni and Cheese. Almost 400 votes were cast and the overwhelming winner was the chicken sandwich.

“We are always looking to add new items to our menus that are not just healthy but that scholars will enjoy,” said Jack Aspinall, Chartwells director for Alvarado ISD. “It was great to get the scholars involved in making decisions about their lunch. I think we served over 1,000 samples so there were kids that came back for seconds, which is great to see!”

The new item will be featured beginning next month.

Recipes for both items came from Chartwells’ regional team, which met over the summer on bringing new ideas to school menus.