PRESS RELEASE
For more information:
Libby McDonald
Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED)
802-434-4122
libby@nofavt.org
www.jrironchefvt.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 15, 2010
Young chefs take their win to the Statehouse
It’s not every day that Vermont’s legislators get to enjoy a Statehouse meal prepared by award-winning chefs – and even rarer for those chefs to be Vermont middle and high school students. On Friday, April 23rd, the winning teams from the 3rd annual Jr. Iron Chef Vermont competition will prepare and serve their winning dishes during lunch at the Statehouse Cafeteria. Hosted by Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED) and the Burlington School Food Project, Jr. Iron Chef VT featured 57 teams of middle and high school students competing to create local, school-friendly dishes from scratch in only ninety minutes. Over a thousand parents, siblings, classmates, farmers, teachers, and community members filled the Champlain Valley Expo on March 27 to witness this event.
Dishes were tasted by a panel of judges, including Lisa Pino, Deputy Administrator of the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Tom Stearns of High Mowing Organic Seeds; and Xena D. Cryme from the Green Mountain Derby Dames. Prizes were awarded to middle school and high school teams in three categories: Best in Show, Most Creative Dish, and Greatest Number & Best Use of Local Ingredients.
The Jr. Iron Chef VT Winners will also be presented with an official Legislative Resolution to honor their achievement. On April 23rd the following teams are invited to the Statehouse for a reading of the Resolution honoring their work, a tour the statehouse, and a chance to serve a taste test of their winning recipes to their legislators.
The Middle School 2010 Jr. Iron Chef VT Champions:
Best in Show: The J-Lee Crew from Twin Valley Middle School, Wilmington with Veggie Roux Stew
Most Creative Dish: Green Mountain Girls from Rochester School, with Green Mountain Girls Veggie Burger
Greatest Number and Best Use of Local Ingredients: Roots for Hannaford from Lyman C. Hunt Middle School, Burlington with Chili Polenta Lasagna.
The High School 2010 Jr. Iron Chef VT Champions:
Best in Show: Rochester from Rochester School, Rochester with Vegetable Chili with Corn Fritter Garnish
Most Creative Dish: A Cut Above the Rest from Bellows Free Academy, St Albans with Root Veg Nachos
Greatest Number and Best Use of Local Ingredients: Harwood Union from Harwood Union High School, Waitsfield with Sweet Potato Enchiladas with Enchilada Sauce
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