Karaage chicken bowl wins Queensland school tuckshop honour
A karaage chicken and rice bowl from Camira State School wins Queensland's 2026 tuckshop recipe competition after record number of entries.
Camira State School's karaage chicken and rice bowl has been crowned Queensland's 2026 tuckshop recipe of the year. The dish, created by tuckshop convenor Dana Sides, sells for $5 or $7.50 depending on size, costing just $2.27 to make.
It's so popular that Sides serves it every Thursday and says she'd offer it daily if possible. The Queensland Association of School Tuckshops ran the competition, which drew a record number of entries from across the state.
Runner-up was a chicken ball wrap from Cannonvale State School, and ruby red banana bread from Kalkie State School won best snack. A Health and Wellbeing Queensland nutritionist praised the trend, saying tuckshops now feature more vegetables and fruit than ever before.
- $2.27 per bowl
- Cost to make
- $5
- Small serve price
- $7.50
- Large serve price
- Thursday special
- Service frequency
Why it mattersTuckshop menus shape children's eating habits; healthier options help kids develop better nutrition early.
AustraliaQueensland schoolkids now have access to healthier, tastier tuckshop meals that beat frozen pies.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 8 d ago
