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4-H LogoFlorida 4-H

4-H LogoFlorida 4-H

Florida 4-H Food Challenge

The 4-H Food Challenge is a contest that provides a fun, yet challenging, food-focused learning opportunity for youth ages 8 to 18, (as of September 1st of the current 4-H year).  Youth work in teams of 3-4 youth, of the same age division, to create a dish using a predetermined set of ingredients and cooking utensil/equipment. First, each team plans and prepares one of the randomly assigned dish while being judged on their food safety skills, teamwork, and ability to manage time and resources. Then youth present their finished dish, deliver a five-minute presentation, and answer questions about their dish to a panel of judges.

  • County Level

    County level events are held at the discretion of the county 4-H Extension Agent. 

    Contest Date Determined by County
    Age Division Juniors/Intermediates/Seniors
    Placings 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each age division
    Who moves on? 1st place for Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Team

     

  • Administrative District Level

    Key Questions:

    Age Division Junior/Intermediates/Seniors
    Placings 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each age division
    Who moves on? 1st place for Intermediate and Senior Team

    Information:

    District Address Contest Date Check In Orientation Contest Begins Lead Contact
    Northwest District Washington County Extension Office | 1424 Jackson Ave Suite A, Chipley, FL 32428 January 4, 2025  8:30 am - 8:45 am (CT) 8:45 am (CT) 9:00 am (CT) Nicole Crawson | ncrawson@ufl.edu
    Northeast and Central Districts Alachua County Extension Office | 22712 W Newberry Rd, Newberry, FL 32669 January 11, 2025  9:30 am - 9:45 am  9:45 am  10:00 am  Geralyn Sachs | fish12@ufl.edu 
    Southwest & Southeast District Highlands County Extension | 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL 33875 January 18, 2025  9:30 am - 9:45 am  9:45 am  10:00 am 

    John Ferguson john.ferguson@ufl.edu

    Amber Norris amber.norris@ufl.edu

    ALL times are EST unless indicated differently

     

     

  • State Level
    Key Questions Information
    Contest Location Florida State Fair in Tampa - Special Events Center Building 
    Contest Date February 15, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Age Division Top intermediate and senior teams from each Administrative District
    Placings 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each age division | 1st place Senior qualifies for the National Food Challenge (OCT 2024)
    Check In 9:00 am - 9:45 am
    Orientation 9:45 am
    Lead Contact Geralyn Sachs | fish12@ufl.edu 

Register in 4-H online for your district contests and state contest if you advance. 

For more information and resources click HERE. 

Contact Info

Geralyn Sachs | fish12@ufl.edu

Marie Arick | jmarick@ufl.edu