When the contest coordinator says “go,” youth have 40 minutes to prepare a dish using the mystery ingredients and items they select from the pantry. Although this may sound like the popular TV show Chopped, it is actually the state-wide 4-H Food Challenge. For the second year, Liberty County 4-H had youth teams participate in the contest, and true to the Liberty County 4-H tradition, the youth did well at the contest.
During the competition, teams of youth work together to create a dish using the provided ingredients. They are evaluated on their preparation techniques, safety, and teamwork. Then, they present a 5-minute presentation about the dish they created. The presentation includes information about MyPlate, serving recommendations, food safety and preparation, and a cost analysis. The competition was held Sept. 8 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton.
“Having the knowledge and skills to work together and create a dish is such a critical skill for young people to have,” Kasey Bozeman, County 4-H agent and team coach, said. “I know plenty of adults that don’t have these life skills, so teaching young people how to be self-sufficient is such an important part of what we do in 4-H.”
Bozeman also cited that the communication, cooperation, and teamwork skills developed in this contest are equally important.
“These youth really have to work together. They have to think quickly on their feet and create this dish from start to finish. It’s very rewarding to watch them compete,” she said.
Liberty County 4-H had two junior teams (6th-8th grade students). Team members Kyra Burmeister, Jaida Cunningham, Kye Lachowsky, Makayla Nash and Brooklyn Wilkins placed second in the junior division. Team members Christian Cahoon, Zoey Dates, Maura Dooley, Makiya Floyd and Aubrey Pearson placed third in the junior division.
The senior team (9th-12th grade students) earned 4th place honors. Senior team members were Jonathan Adams, Nadia Crowley, Lexington Kozak-Baumgartner, Kelly Lachowsky and Jonathan Woolf.
Dana Lee and Casey Nash, 4-H volunteers, helped chaperone the contest. Special thanks are conveyed to Dr. Courtney Brown, 4-H healthy living specialist, for coordinating the contest, and Rhea Bentley for serving as contest donor.
To learn more about the 4-H programming in Liberty County, contact Kasey Bozeman at 912-876-2133 or uge3179@uga.edu.