California Strawberry Commission Announces Kids Berry Recipe Contest
You’re never too young to take an interest in the culinary arts--at least, that’s what FOX’s MASTERCHEF JUNIOR Season Three winner and California native Nathan Odom thinks. That is why he is partnering this month with the California Strawberry Commission to introduce its first Kids Berry Cook-Off Contest.
Qualified contestants can enter to win up to $1,000 in prizes. The contest, open to kids ages 4 to 14, calls for participants to prepare a simple strawberry recipe--five ingredients or less. Parents or guardians (adults over 18) then submit a video (two minutes or less) via Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #KidsCookoff.
Visit the Contest Details Page
The contest runs July 1 - July 31, with the winners notified on August 12. The grand prize winner will receive a $500 Amazon gift card and a personal message of congratulations via video from Nathan.
“Cooking is my passion, and I know kids around the country love to cook as well,” says Nathan. “I’m happy to help encourage other kids to pursue their cooking dreams and discover how sweet and delicious healthy foods can be.”
It is important that kids appreciate good, healthy eating options, and strawberries are a great ingredient for healthy, delicious snacks and meals. Strawberries are low in sugar, high in vitamin C and contain fiber and potassium, making them one of the healthiest fruits on the supermarket shelf or at the farm stand.
“When kids eat strawberries every day, they’re not only getting a healthy dose of the nutrition they need, they’re eating something they love,” says dietitian Toby Amidor, who works closely with the California Strawberry Commission. “Getting kids proper nutrition can be difficult, but by empowering them to experiment in the kitchen and come up with their own fun and clever recipes, we’ll help them build lifelong habits that will pay off in the long run.”
Prizes
Grand Prize
$500 Amazon Gift Card
Recipe and video may also be featured on California Strawberries website
Second Prize
$350 Amazon Gift Card
Recipe and video may also be featured on California Strawberries website
Third Prize
$150 Amazon Gift Card
Recipe and video may also be featured on California Strawberries website
Judging
California Strawberry Commission representatives and Nathan Odom will select the winning recipe from all eligible entries. Previously published recipes will be disqualified. This includes recipes such as, but not limited to, those in cookbooks, magazines, from food companies, on food blogs, or recipe websites, and winners in cooking contests, unless the recipe features significant changes. Contestants are solely responsible for complying with any applicable copyright restrictions and California Strawberry Commission assumes no obligation in that regard.
Winner Notification/Announcement
Winners will be notified confidentially by August 12, 2015 and announced with winning recipes on California Strawberries Facebook page and/or blog during that week.
Rules
Contestants must be U.S. citizens, and parents or guardians submitting recipes must be at least 18 years old and not an employee of California Strawberry Commission (sponsor) or an immediate family member of a Commission employee (husband/wife, child, sibling) to enter. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google+. Participant releases California Strawberry Commission, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ of any liability. Entries will be judged on creativity and selected by California Strawberry Commission. California Strawberry Commission reserves the right to disqualify an entry for any reason, at any time. All entries must note that the tweet, post or video share is an entry into a contest (examples: #contest, I just entered a contest, etc.). By participating in this contest, participant grants sponsor permission to use his/her name, likeness, and photograph and/or video for future promotional purposes in connection with this contest without additional compensation, notification or permission, unless restricted by law.
About Nathan
Chef Nathan Odom is a 13-year-old from San Diego, CA, and the Season Three winner of FOX’s MASTERCHEF JUNIOR. At the age of 10, he joined a class at his school, taught by Chef Ricardo Heredia of the Scratch Culinary Education Program, which culminated in students preparing a three-course meal at a local farm-to-table restaurant. Nathan continued home cooking for the next two years, until he saw an audition opportunity for MASTERCHEF JUNIOR. At the age of 12, he auditioned for the show, made it to the Top 19 and beat out the rest of his competitors to win the season. In the future, he hopes to go to pastry school in France or Japan, and achieve his dream of opening up a patisserie in Japan that sells modern fusion pastries.
About MASTERCHEF JUNIOR
Hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF JUNIOR gives talented kids between the ages of eight and 13 the chance to showcase their culinary abilities and passion for food through a series of delicious challenges. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot and Christina Tosi find the next best junior chef in America, when Season Four of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR premieres Friday, Nov. 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
About California Strawberry Commission
The California Strawberry Commission is a state government agency located in Northern California state government agency charged with conducting research to support California’s strawberry industry. With an emphasis on sustainable farming practices, the commission works with strategic partners focusing on production and nutrition research, food safety training and education, marketing and communications, trade relations and public policy. For more information related to California Strawberries, please visit www.californiastrawberries.com.
