Chef Trainer Brittany Jones teaches students how to make pumpkin spice muffins.

The Texas Department of Agriculture recently highlighted HISD Nutrition Services Chefs David Husbands and Brittany Jones in their spotlight newsletter, Chefs in Texas Schools, for developing nutritious school meals for students.

Husbands, who is the executive chef, creates reimbursable school meals and works closely with dietitians to develop school menus. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with other colleagues and strives to provide better service to HISD students.

“I feel very happy to be spotlighted by TDA,” Husbands said. “I use TDA’s website as a tool all the time when looking and comparing recipes, and to validate the things we do in HISD for our students.” Husbands has served the district for 11 years.

Executive Chef David Husbands has been working for HISD Nutrition Services since 2005.

Jones, a chef trainer, is a graduate of Howard University and Johnson and Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts. Jones’ first job after college was working for celebrity Chef Paula DaSilva for three years before joining HISD. Jones credits Chef DaSilva for teaching her different skills and was a major influence in how she cooks.

“I tend to cook with a Latin vibe,” Jones said. “I still apply a lot of the techniques I learned from her.”

Husbands and Jones encourage healthy eating habits and are inspiring leaders of school meal programs.

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Chefs in Texas Schools newsletter focuses on chefs whose expertise make Texas school meals exceptionally healthy and delicious.