Four New River Elementary students are getting set to take off their “thinking caps” and put on their “chef’s caps.”
Fourth-graders Payton Furman, Cameron Keehn, Payton Leidy and Charyn Maldonado will compete as a team in the third annual Gridiron Cooking Challenge at One Buc Place, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training facility, on May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Other regional competitions are being held at the Miami Dolphins’ and Jacksonville Jaguars’ facilities on separate dates.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
The challenge was created by the Florida Dairy Farmers and is part of Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and the NFL to help encourage youth to lead healthier lives.
The team from New River Elementary, located in Wesley Chapel, was named as one of four central Florida finalists in March after the students’ recipe — “Cheesy Chicken and Bacon Quesadilla with Yogurt Veggie Dip” — was judged and chosen by members of the Dairy Council of Florida.
The four students decided to create a quesadilla recipe, since they all enjoy the entrée, and knew the contest required entrants to make an original recipe that included dairy products.
To make the Mexican classic healthier, they opted to add a few veggies — peppers and chopped spinach— to the recipe.
“I wasn’t sure about the peppers or the chopped spinach, but then I did end up liking it, because all of it was good together,” said Leidy, 10. “I don’t like them separate, but I do like them together.”
(Courtesy of Kathy Gillooly)
The team will have 60 minutes to prepare and present the quesadilla and veggie dip in front of the judges at One Buc Place. After making the meal once before, they are confident they can get the finished product complete in 45 minutes or less.
To do so, group member has been assigned a job, whether it’s making the veggie dip, flipping the quesadilla or cutting it into football shapes.
“It’s fun cooking, but the best part is eating it,” Maldonado said with excitement.
“I like how we get to cook at One Buc Place. That’s my favorite part, and cooking in front of other people and the judges,” said Keehn, a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If the New River students win first place, they’ll each receive a tablet, and the school will receive a $2,500 prize pack.
The team’s program advisor and school’s P.E. teacher, Kathy Gillooly, said the entire initiative is beneficial, because it helps students learn about healthy habits and helps the school obtain additional funding.
“Since we brought this aspect into the school, I think it really helps them because they know “fuel up” means eating well, and “play 60” means they’re supposed to exercise for 60 minutes,” said Gillooly, who’s been an advisor for the cooking challenge all three years.
“I really think it’s an advantage that they’re doing this for kids. It’s also an advantage for schools getting that grant money,” she said.
Third annual Gridiron Cooking Challenge
What: Young chefs compete in a cooking challenge, which is part of Fuel Up to Play 60.
When: May 14, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Facility, One Buc Place
Published April 6, 2016
