Kirbyville Wildcat 4-H
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At the Food Challenge, teams of 3-4 students receive a list of ingredients and have 40 minutes to create a dish. The teams then present their dish to judges are scored on preparation, serving size, food safety concerns, nutritional value and cost.
2025 Food Challenge
2025 was good year
On February 21, the Food Challenge Teams competed at the District 5 4-H Food Challenge Competition.
With over 75 teams and 250 competitors, the competition was intense, featuring seasoned and highly experienced teams. This marks our third year participating in this event, and out of the 13 kids who competed, only three had prior experience. Additionally, we had less than two weeks to prepare, with only three practices before the district competition. For some members, this was not only their first competition but also their first year in 4-H.
The Food Challenge pushes participants to create an original dish—either an appetizer, side dish, main dish, or healthy dessert—using a secret ingredient and at least two items from a grocery list that changes annually. Teams have only 40 minutes to develop their dish. Adding to the challenge, they don’t know which category they’ll be assigned until competition day.
Once time is up, teams present their dish to a panel of judges. The competition combines a passion for cooking, adaptability with surprise ingredients, nutrition knowledge, and the confidence to deliver an engaging and thorough presentation.
Although our teams did not place this year, they had a fantastic experience. Every participant expressed their enthusiasm and said they would absolutely compete again next year. After reviewing the judges' score sheets, we are incredibly proud of their performance—especially given the limited preparation time. With more time to practice next year, we have full confidence that they will bring home some ribbons!
A special thank you to Matt Jones for his expertise and dedication in guiding our Food Challenge teams.
2024 Food Challenge
The Kirbyville Wildcat 4-H Food Challenge Team showcased their culinary skills and teamwork at the Texas 4-H District 5 Food Challenge Competition, securing a commendable third place in the main dish category. The event, which took place on Friday, February 16 at the Windham Civic Center in East Texas, saw participation from 62 teams and 220 contestants.
Representing Wildcat 4-H and Jasper County:
Senior Teams
Grill Daddies- Dylan Lynch, John Fultz, David Fultz
Fry Family- Robert Daniel Jones, Coty Nall, TJ. Roberts, Brock Federoff
Spice Girls- Abigail Baldwin, Alexandra Rodgers, Raleigh Gore
Intermediate Team
Teenage Mutant Cooking Ninjas- Jocelyn Federoff, Kayleigh Gore, Colt Urzendowski, Tinzlee Atchetee
The Grill Daddies took third place at the competition in the Main Dish category.
The 4-H Food Challenge not only allows participants to showcase their culinary prowess but also fosters skills in teamwork, leadership, and public speaking. Under the guidance of Warren Jones and student leader TJ Roberts, the Wildcat 4-H Food Challenge team demonstrated exemplary dedication and talent.
2023 Food Challenge
Wildcat 4-H Food Challenge Team took 3rd!
199 kids in 54 teams signed up for the food challenge competition in Center Texas.
Teams were divided up into either appetizers, main course, or dessert.
They were given ingredients and had to come up with a plan and create a dish for their category.
Wildcat 4-H team members Daniel Jones, Coty Nall, TJ Roberts, and Brock Fedoroff competed in the challenge for the first time and took 3rd place.
So very proud of these kids. So far this year, they have competed in photography and food challenge, and will compete in robotics next month.
We are very proud of what they have accomplished.
