On 23–24 February 2026, international masterclasses for school chefs titled “Innovative and Healthy Buffet-Style School Lunches” were held at Rēzekne Technical School. The event was organized within the framework of the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027 project “SchoolFood WasteSolutions.” The project team from Daugavpils University also participated in the masterclasses.

The masterclasses were led by Alain Grenard, Head of the School Catering and Nutrition Department of the Municipality of Karlstad (Sweden), together with his team. Under the guidance of Swedish experts, participants explored the principles of sustainable school catering and practical solutions that support the delivery of high-quality and modern school meal services.

During the masterclasses, special attention was given to approaches that encourage student engagement and responsible food consumption, including the buffet-style catering model, which allows students to choose both their food and portion size. In the practical sessions, participants worked in teams, creatively experimenting with various ingredients, developing new recipes, and learning the principles of full and efficient product utilization.

A key component of the masterclasses focused on practical solutions for reducing food waste. On the second day, dishes were prepared using leftovers from the previous day, demonstrating a sustainable approach to resource management in school kitchens.

The event concluded with a tasting session and discussion, during which students also participated and shared their feedback on the taste and presentation of the dishes. The participation of the Daugavpils University project team fostered knowledge exchange with international partners and strengthened the implementation of the project in Latvia.

The project “SchoolFood WasteSolutions” is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027.

This article has been prepared with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Daugavpils University and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union.

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