District Chef Ensures Students Always Have 'Something Good To Eat​'

LA MESA, CA — After cooking with love for his students for more than two decades, district chef Todd Bull has been named Grossmont Union High School District's Classified Employee of the Year.

As district chef, Bull said he has "the uniqueness to better someone's day because they had something good to eat."

"The students, they are our future," Bull told Patch. "Maybe that future will be a little brighter, in part because I gave it my best every day."

Bull has worked for the La Mesa-based district for more than 21 years. He has spent the last decade as first district chef, leading 10 kitchens across the district. Previously, Bull served as a culinary arts teacher who was often asked to cater district events with his students.

Bull "taught class during the day and ran the restaurant class at night," according to Vince Scimone, the district's food and nutritional services director.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bull helped set up drive-through operations at every district campus to ensure students had good food to eat.

"He has taught staff in our district how to cook for students and how to cook for themselves, always sharing generously of his time and expertise, but also his passion for food, nutrition and lifelong health," Scimone said.