Food and Nutrition Projects in Nebraska 4-H

Culinary Challenge | 4-H Curriculum | Career Exploration

Nebraska State Fair 4-H Culinary Challenge!

The purpose of the 4-H Culinary Challenge is for 4-H'ers to:

• Demonstrate healthy decision making through nutrition, menu planning, food preperation, and food safety
• Apply healthy living knowledge and skills
• Highlight knowledge by utilizing technology

4-H'ers ages 8 - 18 are eligible to sign up. They will compete in teams of two. Youth do not have to participate in a county contest to sign up for the Nebraska State Fair Culinary Challenge Contest.

4-H'ers are challenged on the theme, table setting, menu, use of the 2024 challenge ingredient, the interview with the judge, and use of technology during the tableside presentation. The team will prepare one food item off the menu to present to the judge.

The 2024 challenge ingredient is SOYBEANS! This can be any form of soybeans used for food such as edamame, tofu, tempeh, soymilk, soybean oil, soy nuts, soy sauce, etc. Here are resources on soy foods:

• Soy Connection
• Soy Nutrition Institute
• The Soyfoods Council

For more information regarding the contest, please contact your local Extension office and check out these resources:

• 4-H Culinary Challenge Event Flyer
• 4-H Culinary Challenge Event Contest Description
• 4-H Culinary Challenge Event Contest Scoresheet
• 4-H Culinary Challenge Letter for Participants

Nebraska State Fair 4-H Contest Entry information can be found at the 4-H Contest Participant Resources webpage. All 4-H members planning to participate in any 4-H contest must be entered in Showorks before the 2024 deadline of August 10. Each team member must register in Showorks. There is a $5.00 fee per 4-H'er.

4-H Healthy Lifestyles Curriculum

4-H projects can be delicious and nutritious! Nebraska 4-H Food and Nutrition Projects help youth learn about how to have the right recipe for success. Plan, prepare, and present your 4-H Food and Nutrition Projects.

For all 4-H projects, Nebraska Project and Resources webpage offers exciting and educational projects for 4-H'ers to choose from. Here are additional resources:

• Cooking with Kids Recipes
• Kitchen Safety Rules for Kids
• 4-H Foods Judging Guide

Interested in learning more about 4-H and Foods? Join the 4-H program in your county and get cooking! 4-H provides fun opportunities for youth to learn about food preparation and meal planning for healthy families, or for a future career.

Career Exploration

Youth interested in 4-H Foods projects may be interested in the following careers:

• Registered Dietitian
• Extension Educator
• Corporate Fitness and Wellness Director
• Food Chemist
• Food Safety Inspector
• Catering Manager/Director
• Exercise Physiologist

To see how you might fit into a foods related career, check out the University of Nebraska - Lincoln's Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences for exciting possibilities!