Local 4-H teams compete at Food Challenge

By Sandy Morris

Three local 4-H teams competed at the Annual Food Challenge on Wednesday, Jan. 27 in San Angelo. 

The local club took two junior teams and one intermediate team with all three teams placing in the competition.

The intermediate team members of Landon Kreitler, Connor Smith, and Rowdy New placed sixth with an appetizer dish, with Chinese wraps being the key ingredient.

The junior team members of Luke Smith, Paige Price, Trevor Bellah, and Gage Burton had a key ingredient of chickpeas and placed fourth with their appetizer entry. 

The second junior team of Artie Bell, Carly Kreitler, and Willa Early had a key ingredient of frozen strawberries and placed third with their healthy dessert entry.

Shackelford County Extension Agent and local 4-H sponsor Kloey Painter was very proud of her teams.

“These members have practiced since October for this competition,” said Painter. “Not only do they have to think and plan quickly, they have to problem solve together.”

Members cooked as a team with surprise ingredients they were given. 

“The team has to have knowledge of MyPlate, FightBac food and safety principles, analyze cost, and calculate cost per serving before presenting the information to a team of judges,” Painter said. “The skills learned in preparing for and competing for this competition are invaluable school, career, and life skills.”

Despite their good showing, intermediate and junior teams are not eligible to advance to the next level of competition.