Monday, June 23, 2014

The Dallas Arboretum seeks to find Dallas' best kid chefs with Gardenlicious



The Dallas Arboretum announces the finalists for Gardenlicious, a healthy kids cook-off contest. Local food celebrities will determine the final winners on Sunday, June 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander Camp House. A number of aspiring young chefs, ranging from grade 1 through 8, have submitted recipes that incorporate at least one ingredient that grows in the Incredible Edible Garden gallery of the nationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. Chairwoman Carol Pierce Goglia has enlisted the help of beloved star chefs Kent Rathbun of Abacus and Scott Gottlich of Bijoux, as well as restaurateur Lynae Fearing of Shinsei to judge the children's culinary submissions. On June 29, the tables will turn when the finalists, selected by the chefs, become the jury as they test and critique the offerings of the three celebrity judges. Guests will have the opportunity to watch young chefs compete as the celebrity judges decide the overall winner of each age-division. First place winners will receive a personalized cooking lesson from Kent Rathbun of Abacus. Second place winners will be rewarded with free cooking lessons from The Young Chefs Academy. Everyone will be invited to sample the chefs' dishes at the event.

There will be a number of exciting activities for guests to enjoy during Gardenlicious. Aside from the exhilarating cooking competition, The American Heart Association will be hosting a healthy planting demonstration, allowing kids to plant seeds and take them home to watch their seedling grow. The Young Chefs Academy will provide an opportunity for children to cook up their creativity. Kids can color a white chef hat and make their very own masterpiece to take home. Audience tickets are free for kid chefs and their parents. For non-participants, general garden admission is required plus an additional $5 for members and $8 for non-members to attend the Gardenlicious event. Tickets are limited so do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful event. More information can be found online at http://www.dallasarboretum.org/visit/seasonal-festivals-events/yearofcg.

Finalists Include:

1st and 2nd Grade Division:
Homemade Chicken and Roasted Corn Soup: Alfred Hoak, Greenhill
Cheyenne's Watermelon Cake: Cheyenne Peterson, Heritage Christian Academy
Zucchini Carrot Muffins: Jane Taten, Hockaday

3rd and 4th Grade Division:
Red and Yellow Hummus: Emma Becker, University Park Elementary
Blueberry Crumble Cream Pie: Annie Hurley, Hockaday
Very Berry Yogurt Cupcake: Grace Twomey, Parish Episcopal School

5th and 6th Grade Division:
Avocado Chocolate Mousse by Sophie Podeszwa, Hockaday
Summer Smoothie by Cate Goglia, Hockaday
Cool Kid Cucumber Radish Salad by Grace Dorward, Hockaday

7th and 8th Grade Division:
Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Frico Chips by Charlotte Podeszwa, ESD
Spring has Sprung by Alex Karamyshev, Highland Park Middle School
Viva Vegan Tostada with Black Bean Spread by Anna Walker & Sydney Love, Highland Park Middle School