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Calling all aspiring young chefs! The 4th Annual Junior Iron Chef on Long Island competition is open for entries.

Middle and high school student teams of three to five junior chefs will create recipes and compete in a one-day cooking challenge to be named the top Junior Iron Chefs on Long Island.  Prizes will be awarded in many categories including:

  • Crowd Pleaser—This award goes to the team that best incorporates color, texture, and taste for a true crowd-pleaser. (Audience vote)
  • Lively Local—This award goes to the team that best highlights New York foods.
  • Mise en Place (everything in its place)–This award goes to the team that shows exemplary teamwork, order and professionalism, both during the competition and in the registration process.
  • Public Presentation—This award goes to the team with the best poster/informational display and judge presentation.

The middle school student teams’ challenge is to prepare a breakfast dish. High school junior chef teams will face a “mystery ingredient” challenge revealed on the day of the competition.

Recipes are limited to five main ingredients (not including spices, oils, water, or vinegar) which will be provided on the day of the competition by Whole Foods Market and must include at least two ingredients used in school cafeterias. Teams are encouraged to use local foods in their recipes.

Judging will be based on the following criteria:

  • Taste – How yummy is it?
  • Presentation – Does it look appetizing?
  • Creativity – Is the recipe original?
  • Use of Local Ingredients – Do local foods star in this dish?
  • Use of USDA Ingredients – Do USDA foods play a large role in dish?
  • Healthy Choices – What is the calorie count of the recipe and are the ingredients healthy?
  • Cafeteria Ready – Is the recipe easily implemented into school cafeterias considering price of ingredients, difficulty of preparation and availability of ingredients

Registration for the event is due by February 12.  There is a $100 registration fee per team to cover materials, equipment,and support, but scholarships may be available to help defray those costs.

For more information about the 2016 Long Island Junior Iron Chef competiton and complete rules click here.

This event is coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County and Lake Grove Whole Foods Market.

Source:  Press release issued by Cornell Cooperative Extension dated February 2, 2016.

 

 

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