The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) hosted students from Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for a class project about replacing processed foods with fresh, healthy ingredients, June 8.

Amy Pratt, a teacher at Kellam High School, worked with Food Service Officer Chief Warrant Officer Sherwin Penaranda to give the students the opportunity to work with and serve Sailors from the Bush.

"Our school is looking for different ways to provide non-processed ingredients that can easily be implemented into an organization's regular menu," said Pratt. "As a class project, our students made vegetarian tacos and gave samples to 412 students. Of that group, over 75 percent said they would buy the tacos if offered as a lunch item. The purpose of our trip here today is to give our students the experience of cooking and serving to a different kind of audience."

Patrick Leeman, a chef at the Culinary Institute of Virginia, and a coworker created this specific vegetarian taco recipe.

"When I visited Kellam High School awhile back, I worked with the culinary staff and students to help set their goal in motion," said Leeman. "My vegetarian taco recipe was inspired by that goal."

After preparing the meal, the students served a select group of Sailors. Chief Logistics Specialist Cristian Martinez was one of those Sailors.

"The meal was excellent," said Martinez. "I couldn't even tell they were vegetarian tacos. They tasted just like normal, seasoned beef tacos. I can definitely see this being implemented into the Bush's menu, or even throughout the Navy. I believe the Sailors would love it."

There are currently no plans for this to continue in the future, though Leeman has high hopes that will change.

"I would love to return sometime in the future with more recipes," said Leeman. "It's a much healthier way to eat, while still keeping within the Navy's nutritional standards. The students learned a lot and really enjoyed their time here, so it was a good experience all around."

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/.