The cook-offs are a part of BGCA's Family PLUS (Parents Leading, Uniting, Serving) initiative, which is generously sponsored by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Family PLUS helps Boys & Girls Clubs collaborate with families and caregivers as partners in the development of children and youth.
"Boys & Girls Clubs of America realizes that the family is the foundation on which children build healthy relationships," says Jose Cruz, Director, Family Support, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "BGCA created the Family PLUS strategy to provide parents and caregivers with the resources they need to help kids reach their full potential to BE GREAT."
At the Cook-Off event, three teams engaged in an exciting cook-off. Teams included family members and local cooking experts. Each team was assigned to a cooking station -- stocked with the same ingredients. The object was for each team to use these ingredients to make the most mouthwatering dish. The United Methodist Church provided additional kitchen space for the cooking event.
The teams had one hour to prepare and cook their dishes for a panel of judges. Judging was based on presentation, taste and originality.
In the end, the members of Patty Irons’ family prevailed as the 2010 Family Cook-off winners. When asked about her secret cooking talents Patty stated, “It’s all my grandma, she taught me everything I know.”
Visit the Family PLUS Web site, http://familyplus.bgca.org to find strategies and tips for raising healthy young people, ideas for building family strength and togetherness, and ways to get involved and partner with your local Boys & Girls Club.
