Helen Duran is Child Nutrition Culinary Trainer and chef at Coppell Independent School District in Texas. When Helen graduated from UT Austin with a degree in British History, she did what many over-educated and under-trained students do; she got a job in the foodservice industry. This is when Helen discovered her real calling. She is an admitted “food geek,” who has been feeding people professionally for 40 years. She has been an executive chef, cheese expert, teacher, event planner, writer, training developer, gardener, and locavore. In 2011, a job found Helen that encompasses all her passions. As culinary trainer at Coppell ISD, Helen is helping to bring a new approach to school lunch. The job allows her to work with kids, work with food, plan events and classes, even work in the school gardens. And change the world. What could be better? (Coppell, TX)