The public school cafeteria was packed and overflowing with 352 students and adults enjoying a special school lunch on Nov. 14. Celebrity chef Madden Surbaugh of  New Leaf Cafe at the Outlook Inn helped prepare and serve alongside cafeteria staff.

The Farm to Cafeteria FaceBook page (www.facebook.com/orcasislandf2c) received comments shortly after the event from kids and parents alike such as:  “Lunch was wonderful” and “I’m tellin’ ya, Riley eats better than I do!” which was typical of comments heard all during lunch.

Brown Bear Baking in Eastsound provided the home-made Italian garlic bread which was scarfed up along with fresh hand-made gnocchi, Italian roasted cauliflower, Caesar salad and olive oil cake made by Madden and staff.

Prior to the event in preparation for the big day, hard-working F2C volunteers peeled and mashed 75 pounds of potatoes and also helped serve during the lunch.

The previous record of 325 attendees was established by Charles Dalton of  The Kitchen last year. Dalton will have another chance to regain the reign when he is the celebrity chef again in January – this could become a dueling chef event.

The lunches are sponsored by the Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program in cooperation with the Orcas Island School District.