The Texas 4-H Food Challenge


The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program is pleased to announce the Texas 4-H Food Challenge competition as an official Roundup contest for 2010. The 4-H Food Challenge was developed by county Extension agents to address the need for a new, “highly charged” foods experience. This contest, modeled after such competitions as the Food Network’s “Iron Chef,” challenges teams of 4-H members to create a dish using only a predetermined number of ingredients. From these ingredients, team members must identify and prepare the dish, then make a presentation about it to the judges. The presentation will include information about the serving size, nutritional value, and cost of the dish. The 4-H Food Challenge allows 4-H members to demonstrate their culinary and food safety skills to judges and observers.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Provide opportunities for participants to exhibit their knowledge and skill when preparing and presenting a dish
  2. Provide opportunities for participants to learn from other team members
  3. Promote teamwork
  4. Give participants opportunities for public speaking
  5. Provide leadership opportunities
  6. Give 4-H members the opportunity to participate in a new, exciting, competitive event

District 6 4-H Food Challenge

December 5, 2009 in El Paso (click here for directions)

Rules for District Competiton:

1. Participation.   Participants must be 4-H members currently enrolled in a Texas 4-H and Youth Development county program and actively participating in the Food and Nutrition project.
2. Age.  Age divisions are determined by a participant’s age as of August 31 of the current 4-H year.
           *   Junior/Intermediate Division: 8 years old and in 3rd grade, or 9 to 13 years old
           *   Senior Divsion: 14 to 18 years old
3. Teams per county.   Each county may enter a maximum of two Junior/Intermediate teams and a maximum of two Senior teams.
The first and second place teams in both age divisions should advance to the district contest. At the county contest, this will require that all teams within one age division be judged against each other and placed (not judged and placed according to food category).
4. Members per team. Each team will have at least three and no more than five members. Teams may not include members in different age divisions. See rule #2.
5. Substitution of team members.   Substitution of team members should be made only if necessary. Only the same number of 4-H members qualifying at the county level will be eligible to participate at the district level. No more than two team members may be substituted, up to the day of the Food Challenge. The substitute 4-H member must have participated in the county Food Challenge to be eligible.
6. Entry fee.   Each team will be required to pay a registration fee to cover the cost of ingredients for the contest.
7. Food categories.   There will be four food categories in each age division: Main Dish, Fruits and Vegetables, Bread and Cereal, and Nutritious Snacks. Teams will be randomly assigned to a category, but assignments will not be announced until check-in the morning of the contest.
8. Attire.   Each team will have the option of wearing coordinated clothing, aprons or hair coverings.
9. Resource materials provided at contest.   Resource materials will be provided for each team at the contest. These include MyPyramid, FightBac, Nutrient Needs at a Glance, Cooking Food Safely is a Matter of Degrees, Altering Recipes for Good Health, Food Challenge Worksheet, and copies of grocery receipts. No other resource materials will be allowed. Teams may not use their personal copies of the resources during the contest.
10. Supply box.   Each team must supply their own equipment for the challenge. Teams may bring only the supplies listed in the supply box section. Any extra equipment will be confiscated and the team may be disqualified.
11. Awards.   District awards have not been determined at this time and will depend on sponsorships. Mystery awards will be given based on sponsorship and committee.
12. Suggested contest schedule.  Will be announced two weeks prior to December 5th to allow for travel time planning.
13. Participants with disabilities. Any competitor who requires auxiliary aids or special accommodations must contact the District Extension Office at least 2 weeks before the competition.

SUPPLY BOX

Each team will bring an equipment box containing only the following items:
SUPPLY BOX Two-burner hot plates 2 mixing bowls
1 medium serving bowl 1 dip size bowl 2 cutting boards
1 medium serving platter Dry measuring cups Liquid measuring cup
Measuring spoons 1 serving utensil 1 medium colander
2 sharp knives 1 cookie sheet 1 whisk
2 hot pads 1 rubber spatula 1 pancake turner
1 set of tongs 1 stirring spoon 1 potato peeler
1 fork 1 skillet 1 pot
1 grater 1 roll of paper towels 1 rolling pin
1 pair of kitchen shears Disposable tasting spoons Food thermometer
Non-stick cooking spray Gloves Sanitizing wipes (for tables)
Hand sanitizer Storage bags and/or containers Pencil
Calculator Extension cord Can opener
Kitchen timer Note cards (5x7) 1 plastic box or trash bag for dirty equipment

 

Click here for the Official Food Cahllenge Manual (pdf)