I was honored to be invited to be a judge on a panel of three for the Fuel Up to Play 60 Second Annual Gridiron Breakfast Challenge hosted by the Florida Dairy Farmers at EverBank Field, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Students from around the state gathered in teams of four and created original and creative recipes that included dairy. The top four teams were selected in each area and competed at their local NFL facility. Students were given sixty minutes to recreate their recipe and present it to the judges. This year’s winning recipe was Popeye’s Ricotta Tater Cakes. Each student received a special prize, which included an Apple iPad mini that was loaded with cooking applications.
The judges based their decision on different criteria, including: originality, creativity, team work, dairy content, and taste.
The task of judging all four teams was very difficult since all the students prepared excellent recipes. The students delighted the judges with smoothies, breakfast cups, as well as great personalities. Attendees were able to enjoy delicious samples as they waited to meet and greet the Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback, Blake Bortles, the Jacksonville Roar Cheerleaders, Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville, and Merry Moo, the Florida Dairy Farmers’ mascot.
The event helped inspire and encourage students from across the state to work together to create healthy and tasty recipes that will provide kids with lifelong tools to live healthy and active lifestyles.
“What I love about the Gridiron event is that it is getting kids thinking about eating healthy and what is good food to fuel their bodies,” said Linda Lussier, Florida dairy farmer and celebrity judge for the event. “Of course, educating kids about how milk and dairy can provide many of the nutrients their bodies need for a healthy diet is an important message we hope they take with them.”
The competition also inspired me to start thinking of healthier recipes, which led me to enter a contest and be selected as a winner for the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge! I will also get to attend the Kids State Dinner on July 10 at the White House in DC! The competition really helped me prepare healthy dishes for my family and begin thinking about how to use the guidelines of the My Plate model. Remember the next time you are in the kitchen to start experimenting with fruits, vegetables and dairy to create delicious meals.
Bobby
National Ambassador
Florida
7th Grade
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