X

Junior Iron Chef competition returning to St. Lawrence County

Posted 12/8/18

POTSDAM -- Registration for the sixth North Country Jr. Iron Chef competition opens Jan. 7. “We’re very excited about this year’s competition, and for area youth to bring their enthusiasm and …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Junior Iron Chef competition returning to St. Lawrence County

Posted

POTSDAM -- Registration for the sixth North Country Jr. Iron Chef competition opens Jan. 7.

“We’re very excited about this year’s competition, and for area youth to bring their enthusiasm and creativity to school food,” says Sarah Bentley-Garfinkel, School Program Director at the Health Initiative and event coordinator.

This regional event is a competition for teams of middle and high school age students from Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Teams develop healthy recipes using a combination of fresh produce and USDA commodity foods that could be realistically prepared in a school cafeteria. North Country Jr. Iron Chef is a project of the Health Initiative.

On March 9, teams will gather at A.A. Kingston Middle School in Potsdam, to prepare their recipes. Teams then present their dishes to a panel of distinguished judges, made up of chefs, school food service staff, students and others, who select the winners.

“Youth use a variety of ingredients from apples and broccoli to black beans and brown rice to create a healthy, tasty recipe. They consider cost and time constraints to learn what might work in a cafeteria”, says Bentley-Garfinkel. “Along the way they chop, measure and stir, practicing cooking skills that last a lifetime.”

Teams can be formed within schools, youth clubs, afterschool programs or just friends. Team rules, including the registration process, have been updated for the 2019 competition. Registration materials and event details are available at https://www.ncjrironchef.org/ .

North Country Jr. Iron Chef is generously supported by sponsors including the 2019 Platinum Presenter sponsor, St. Lawrence Health System.

For more information, to register, or to sponsor the event, visit www.ncjrironchef.org/or contact the Health Initiative at 315-261-4760.