Hawai‘i 4-H is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 4-H GET Local Virtual Cooking Contest! Contestants created videos demonstrating a healthy recipe featuring a local plant or animal food and a photo of their finished dish.
Youth aged 12–18 from across the state submitted entries in middle and high school categories. 4-H members and non-members were eligible. Participating in the contest helped them learn about food safety, cooking, nutrition, and presentation skills.
This year’s high school winners were Emma Ching (O‘ahu) for her Citrus Asian Mahi Medley and Luke de la Pena (Kaua‘i) for his Green Papaya Salad. The middle school winner was Sophia Kato (Maui) for her Mango Salsa. Runners-up were Prince Baltero (Lāna‘i) for his Banana Blossoms Fishballs, Liliana Dutcher (O‘ahu) for her Banana Macadamia Nut Crisp, Ramsey Hillen (Maui) for his Hawaiian-Style Poke and Steamed Kalo, and Charlize Kenney (Kaua‘i) for her Kalua Pork Taro Hash Patties.
The winners will receive cash prizes provided by The Ardis Tanaka Foods and Nutrition Project and a culinary knife set. Runners up will receive a knife set. The contest was a collaboration between CTAHR’s 4-H Youth Development and GET Local Healthy Food Systems programs and was supported with resources from GET Local.
U.S. Senator from Hawai‘i Mazie Hirono offered a congratulatory video to contest winners and shared her own local recipe for kimchi, which she uses while in Washington, D.C.
Check out contest videos and photos and winning recipes.