AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Agriculture kicks off the 4th Annual Kids Kitchen Corral Contest. For contest details and an application packet simply pick up a postage-paid entry card at select public libraries or in the produce aisle at your neighborhood Wal-Mart Superstore while supplies last. You can also e-mail TDA at kidskitchen@tda.state.tx.us and request an entry card. TDA is accepting contest entry cards through the fall of 2007.
“It’s great fun to see our young Texans cook up some creative dishes in the kitchen” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. “They’re learning healthy eating and healthy cooking are something worthwhile with positive and long-lasting results.”
The Kids Kitchen Corral Contest calls on kids from across Texas to submit their own unique healthy recipes for judging. Recipes have to be original nutritious easy to prepare and contain no more than 10 ingredients.
The contest is open to Texans 6 to 18 years old and enrolled in a Texas school that participates in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program. Each qualifying Texan who submits an entry card will receive an entry packet with nutrition information and contest details.
Past winners have received a medallion donations from Wal-Mart Texas Monthly magazine and/or Whole Earth Provisions including gift cards cooking supplies and a backpack with school supplies and a framed certificate signed by Commissioner Staples. Their recipes have been featured on printed recipe cards and book covers distributed to all Texas public elementary schools.
Almost 270 recipes – everything from granola mixes to wacky wraps to veggie pasta – were submitted to TDA last fall for the 3rd annual contest. TDA judges narrowed the recipe submissions to 12 finalists and students from the Bowie High School Culinary Arts Program in Austin put them to the test by preparing and tasting each recipe then choosing the four final winners.
Additional details and deadline information for the 4th Annual Kids Kitchen Corral Contest can be requested by sending an e-mail to kidskitchen@tda.state.tx.us.
To view the winning recipes and to find more healthy eating tips and nutrition information visit TDA’s Square Meals Web site at www.squaremeals.org and click on the link “For Kids.”
All TDA press releases are also available via the Internet at www.tda.state.tx.us.
