Recently, 60 Georgia 4-H’ers from across the state participated in the first-ever district Georgia 4-H Food Challenge Contest. The district contest was conducted virtually with each team submitting a video of their presentation.
A competition that focuses on the basics of healthy living, nutrition, food safety, and preparation, this contest challenges teams of 4-H members to plan a dish using only a predetermined set of ingredients. From these ingredients, team members must plan the preparation of a dish, then make a presentation about it for judges. The contest objectives are to provide opportunities for participants to exhibit their knowledge and skill when planning and presenting a dish, provide opportunities for participants to learn from other team members, promote teamwork, give participants opportunities for public speaking, provide leadership opportunities, and to give 4-H members the opportunity to participate in an exciting and competitive event. The top two teams in each age level in each district advance to the state contest.
The Emanuel County 4-H team, consisting of Marshall Amerson, Grace McBride, and Jack Williams, was the Southeast District winner and advanced to state competition. Their winning recipe was County Boy Chicken Sandwich that consisted of pan-fried, spicy, pecan crusted chicken tenderloins with Vidalia onion and apple barbecue chutney and baby spinach. In addition to describing how the dish is prepared, these 4-H'ers also had to provide a nutritional breakdown and cost analysis for their recipe.
The Emanuel County team is coached by 4-H Volunteers Becky Amerson and T’Neil Williams.
The 2020 Georgia 4-H Food Showcase is made possible by sponsors Georgia Grown and Rhea Bentley.
Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships, and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 175,000 people annually through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Emanuel Extension office at 478-237-1226.
