County 4-Hers place at food show

By Kathy Thomson

Two Shackelford County 4-H members placed well at the District 7 Food Show on Thursday, Nov. 21 in the Big Country Hall located at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. 

“Ellis (Hise) competed in intermediate nutritious snacks and he got fourth place,” said new local extension agent and 4-H leader Kloey Painter. “He made mozzarella cheese, and he did great!” 

Intermediates do not advance beyond the district meet.

“Johnnie Hise competed in senior breads and cereals,” Painter said. “She did an amazing job, but she will unfortunately not be advancing to state.”

Johnnie Hise earned third place with her home baked scones.  

The first place senior contestants qualify for the State Food Show to be held during the Texas 4-H Roundup in College Station on Thursday, June 11. 

“I’m honestly just so proud of these kids for stepping up and competing,” said the county agent. “They make their dish, present it to a panel of judges, and give a prepared presentation. That’s a lost skill these days, so I’m incredibly proud.”

Albany students Charli Trail and Emma Belle Smith were also entered in the event, but they both had to drop out because of the flu.

The exhibitors are judged on their know-ledge of how the dish is prepared, the main nutrients in their dish, and food safety techniques they implemented while preparing their dish. They are also judged on their knowledge of MyPlate and how their dish fits into MyPlate, according to volunteer 4-H leader Kristie Smith.

Senior exhibitors (those currently in high school) are also expected to give a five-minute presentation about their entry, including why they chose the dish and how it relates to this year’s theme of “Food Around the World.”