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Calling all aspiring chefs: North Country Jr. Iron Chef registration closes Feb. 3

Posted 1/23/25

CANTON — The North Country Jr. Iron Chef competition is back. Registration for this youth cooking event is open now.

North Country Jr. Iron Chef is a competition for teams of middle and …

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Calling all aspiring chefs: North Country Jr. Iron Chef registration closes Feb. 3

Posted

CANTON — The North Country Jr. Iron Chef competition is back. Registration for this youth cooking event is open now.

North Country Jr. Iron Chef is a competition for teams of middle and high school students to develop and prepare tasty, healthy recipes that could be realistically prepared in a school cafeteria. Recipes highlight colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, including produce available through the regional Fresh-cut Farm to School Program. The registration deadline is February 3rd and the competition will be held on Saturday March 29, 2025. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.

Teams from school districts in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis Counties that purchase produce as part of the Fresh-cut Farm to School Program are eligible to participate, which include Brasher Falls Central, Canton Central, Clifton-Fine Central, Colton-Pierrepont Central, Edwards-Knox Central, Gouverneur Central, Hammond Central, Harrisville Central, Hermon-DeKalb Central, Heuvelton Central, Lisbon Central, Lyme Central, Madrid-Waddington Central, Morristown Central, Norwood-Norfolk Central, Ogdensburg Free Academy, Potsdam Central, Sackets Harbor Central, and Watertown City.

Director of Food Service at St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Artie Frego says, “The Farm to School partnership between St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Big Spoon Kitchen is a win-win for schools, farmers and communities. By promoting healthy eating habits and supporting local agriculture, this partnership is helping to improve the health and well-being of students and the local community. It’s exciting to add this youth competition to our program which offers a fun opportunity for students to prepare recipes together while boosting awareness of the purchasing.”

Nutrition education and support from the event organizers are available to assist with healthy recipe development. On competition day, teams gather to prepare their recipes and present to a panel of distinguished judges including chefs and farmers in the region. Friends and family are invited to cheer on the teams at the event. Awards will be announced, and the winning dish will be showcased in the school cafeteria.

To register or learn more about North Country Jr. Iron Chef, visit the event page on the Cornell Cooperative Extension website at https://bit.ly/ncjic or call 315-379-9192.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.