It’s another year and the San Saba 4-H County Food show made its much anticipated arrival this Sunday Oct. 19th. The young cooks were pumped and the tension tight. Walking into the Courthouse you smell the fierce competition along with the tasty dishes. The 4-H’ers take in the competition around them and scope out possible scoring opportunities. The 4-H’ers have worked hard for the annual County Food Show and were ready to present their masterpieces to the judges.

In the Foods and Nutrition Project, 4-Her’s learn and study the nutritional value of certain types of food, cooking safety, and how to prepare a dish. For Food shows the 4-H’ers are required to make a dish in one of the four categories: Main Dish, Fruits and Vegetable, Nutritious Snacks and Desserts, and Breads and Cereals. Next the contestants go through and interview with a panel of judges, presenting their dish. Food is judged by appearance only and the winner is determined by the results of the interview and the presentation of the dish. Some sample questions the 4-H’ers may be asked are: “How did you prepare your dish?” or “What food safety practice did you learn?” and “What nutritional value is in your dish?”

In the Junior division we have Mykah McKinnerney with her Main Dish entry Hamburger Casserole; Emliee Rogers with her Main Dish entry My Mom’s Chicken Salad; Breann Hellner with her Bread and Cereals entry Banana Nut Bread; Jordan Gossett with her Nutritious Snacks and Desserts entry Nanny’s Banana Pudding; Riana Bass with her Nutritious Snacks and Desserts entry Cupcakes; and Maggie Alexander with her Fruits and Vegetables entry Dorito Salad. The Junior 4-H’ers are asked interview questions such as, “What are the two main nutrients in you dish? What do they do for you body to keep it healthy?” or “Tell us something new that you learned in preparing you dish.” And “According to ‘My Pyramind’, what are the food groups and the recommended intake of each per day based on a 2000 calorie diet?”

In the intermediate division we have Elizabeth Bryant with her Main Dish entry Mexican Quiche; Melanie Hedley with her Bread and Cereals entry Filled Coffee Ring; and Marissa Coffman with her Fruits and Vegetables entry Fruit Kabobs. Intermediate 4-H’ers are asked some of the same questions and more difficult than the Junior 4-H’esr. Some sample questions Intermediate 4-H’ers will be asked are, “Tell us a food safety step that you took in preparing you dish. How would you safely store leftovers of your dish?” And “Tell us something new you learned in your foods and nutrition project this year.”

We have one Clover Kid this year participating in the San Saba 4-H County Food Show. Jacey Gossett made a Very Strawberry Cheesecake in the Nutritious Snacks and Desserts category. Clover Kids do not advance to District competition, but are introduced to Foods and Nutrition projects and events.

The San Saba 4-H County Food Show results are as follows.

Junior Nutritious Snacks and Desserts High Point Winner is Riana Bass

Junior Nutritious Snacks and Desserts Winner Jordan Gossett

Junior Breads and Cereals High Point Winner is Breann Hellner

Junior Main Dish High Point Winner Emilee Rogers

Junior Main Dish Winner Mykah McKinnerney

Junior Fruits and Vegetables High Point Winner is Maggie Alexander

Intermediate Bread and Cereals High Point Winner is Melanie Hedley

Intermediate Main Dish High Point Winner is Elizabeth Bryant

Intermediate Fruits and Vegetables High Point Winner is Marissa Coffman.

Hill Country Cattle Women $25 Best Beef Main Dish Winner Mykah McKinnerney