Tuesday, February 24, 2009

School District Cooking Contest

About a month ago Abbie came home from school VERY excited. She had in her hands an announcement from school saying the school district was having a healthy snack recipe contest for all the elementary schools in the District to enter. All she had to do was come up with a healthy snack recipe, turn it in, and then they would pick 10 finalists to compete in the cooking challenge at the district office. Well, Abbie (who's favorite thing to do is watch the cooking challenges on the Food Network) was beyond excited to enter.

About a week ago we got a phone call saying she was one of the 10 finalists out of over 100 recipes that were entered! Well, today was the final cook off. I got her out of school about an hour early and we headed off to the district office. They had everything ready that she would need to make her recipe and gave each participant one hour to complete their dish and have it ready for the judges. Abbie was SO excited when, in the end, they called her name as the WINNER! Way to go Abbie....



getting started...


The lunch cook from each of the finalist's school came to be the assistants. Betty Sue (Ranch Creeks lunch cook) was so cute with Abbie. The school cooks were not allowed to help make the recipe but helped with things like the oven.

her work station with all of her ingredients



News channel 11 was there to take in all the action





Only 5 minutes left...trying to get her dish on the plate


All finished and waiting for the judging



Kent, Claire, and Anderson. Diana (Abbie's primary pres.) was so sweet to come with her boys to cheer Abbie on.

There were five judges, the school district Superintendent and 4 other members of the school board. They were judged on three things: 1. Taste and how healthy 2. Presentation 3. How easy it was to prepare


... and the winner was Abbie Carlson and her Healthy Chicken Bites


Abbie with her principal (Mrs. Paulson on the left) and the school cook Betty Sue


All ten finalists got a framed certificate, medal, and an awesome goodie bag. They awarded the top three with extra prizes.

The goodie bags



Abbie won quite the loot including a $50 gift card to Target, 4 tickets to the zoo, a new back pack, and lots of other fun stuff.


Abbie's Healthy Chicken Bites

12 oz. Can. Chunk chicken
8 oz. cream cheese
Green onions
Roll of refrigerator biscuits (8-10 count) cut biscuits in half to make snack size
Italian seasoned bread crumbs
Mix softened cream cheese, chicken, and green onions together. Cut each biscuit in half and roll out thin. Fill with cream cheese mixture and pinch dough closed. Roll in bread crumbs, put on sprayed cookie sheet with seam side down. Bake according to biscuit package directions.


18 comments:

Saquel25 said...

Well Done Abbie! I just want to tell you what a crack-up Claire was on Sunday. I substituted for Sonya Ridley. At one point she said "You musn't listen to Satan because he will whisper in your ear that he's going to eat you", said with a completely straight face until I smiled and then she just grinned all over her face. I still have no idea if she was joking with me or not!

Carrie said...

Way to go Abbie! I am so proud of you. We made your recipe tonight and the kids loved it. After her first bite, Maya said, "mmmm, I can see why Abbie won it all."

Diana said...

I was so proud to know Abbie (and her wonderful fam) today! Give her another hug for me.

Nan Campbell said...

Wahoo Abbie!!! Congratulations! What a wonderful talent you have. Your chicken bites look beautiful. You look like a professional chef in your hat!

Unknown said...

congratulations!!!!!! we are so proud of you Abbie! Way to go and stick to your guns - it paid off big time! You will have tons of fun with your new found fame! Your mommy and daddy must be so proud!

Shea said...

wow, that is so cool! i bet you're such a proud momma. i love the food network channel too--it's the best!

cheryl close said...

Hi Abbie, Congratulations on your cooking contest. Well done! With that being said can I hire you to come cook Easter dinner for my fam? Frankly,I'm tired of doing it! And I'm sure YOU could pull it off : )

Kellie said...

That's great. I think you have the "Next Food Network Star" on your hands :)

Robin said...

Awesome! Ike wanted to do this so much! He watches Top Chef with me and loves to make omelets. Such a cool thing and I am so glad Abbie won! Yay for Abbie!

Jodi June said...

ABBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You Stinkin' ROCK STAR!!! How FUN! WAY TO GO Abbie!!!!

Abbie, that is so AWESOME! Way To GO! I am SO PROUD of you!

by the way... Sadie's favorite show to watch is the FOOD network TOO!

Carrie said...

Oh cool. You added in the video. She is even great with the questions. Way to go Abbs!

R A C H A E L said...

Congratulations Abbie! This is amazing. I, like you, love the food network challenge. Now you've lived it! Way to go babe!!

I am going to try your recipie tonight. The look delicious!

Tamzen Fleming said...

WOW! Good job Abbie! That is so exciting. Awesome goodie bag!

Rachel said...

How exciting! Tell her congratulations. We'll have to try that great recipe.

Berly said...

Way to go ABBIE!! How exciting for her. My kids love that recipe and you looked awesome in your chef hat. WAY TO GO!!

Cumorah said...

Who knew we were related to such a Super Star! That's awesome -- you're only ten years old and you already have a sous-chef! You can come on over and practice those cooking skills on us ANYTIME!!!

Liz said...

That is so Awesome Abbie! I have to tell you, Sam was quite jealous of your chef's hat, not to mention the
$50 gift card! You rock! And those Chicken bites look delicious!!

Tricia Lauritzen said...

How awesome is this!!! Congrats Abbie. Dayna came home going on and on about how cool she thinks you are.. Mom must be doing something right! Congrats.