4-H youth can cook was the unwritten theme of this year’s 4-H Area Cookery Contest. There were over 100 dishes competing in 13 different divisions from 10 parishes at the annual contest on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 held in Jennings, LA. There were twelve 4-H’ers representing the St. Martin Parish 4-H youth development program.
They were:
Jacob Albert, St. Martinville Senior High; Catherine Blanchard, Cecilia Jr. High; Erin Blanchard, Teche; Justin Blanchard, Parks; Elliot Bernard, At Large Club Member; McKenzie Billeaudeaux, Cecilia Jr. High; Kathryn Burkhardt, At Large 4-H Club Member; Leigh Anne Hebert, Cecilia High School; Bailee Leger, Teche; Adele Richard, At Large 4-H Club Member; Valerie Sonnier, Breaux Bride Elem.; and Maranda Wiltz, St. Bernard.
This contest is really used as a tool to teach life skills to the 4-H’ers. Not only does participation in the contest teach youth the life skill of cooking, but allows them to learn skills that will let them work independently in the kitchen as they get older. Also, this contest allows youth the ability to be creative and to be safe in the kitchen in regards to food safety. Responsibility plays a huge key in the contest as the 4-H’ers learn how to follow the rules and to transport the food safely to the contest site.
During the contest, 4-H members and their parents were entertained during two educational sessions including the Udder Side of Moo where participants learned about the importance of calcium in the diet and prepared butter. Also 4-H’ers participated in a game of Food Ball, where teams of vegetables and fruits tried to score a touchdown or field goal as they were tested on health and fitness trivia.
St. Martin Parish 4-H results at the contest were as follows:
Beef Low Calorie Division: Erin Blanchard-1st Place
Beef Quick and Easy Division: Elliott Bernard-1st Place
Rice Side Dish Division: Leigh Anne Hebert-3rd Place
Sugar Other Desserts Division: Maranda Wiltz-3rd Place
Crab Division: Valerie Sonnier-Blue Ribbon
Shrimp Division: Justin Blanchard-Blue Ribbon
Fish and Other Division: McKenzie Billeaudeaux-Blue Ribbon
Crawfish Division: Adele Richard-Blue Ribbon
Beef One Dish Meal Division: Jacob Albert-Blue Ribbon
Rice Main Dish Division: Bailee Leger-Blue Ribbon
Rice Dessert Division: Catherine Blanchard-Blue Ribbon
Sugar Baked Items Division: Kathryn Burkhardt-Red Ribbon