Objectives

• Provide opportunities for participants to exhibit their food and nutrition knowledge, skill, and creativity when preparing and presenting food.
• Provide opportunities for participants to learn from other team members,while promoting teamwork.
• Give participants opportunities for public speaking and leadership.

Age Divisions as Follows

• Junior: 8-10 years old (*Child must be 8 years old AND in 3rd grade to compete)
• Intermediate: 11-13 years old
• Senior: 14 and up

**All participants must be enrolled on ZSuite - no exceptions**

Rules

• Participants must be 4-H members enrolled in Adair County 4-H and registration form turned into county office by due date set. A Medical Release form must be done online for each Food Showdown participant.
• Each team will have a maximum of three members, the team can be mixed ages. However, team will compete in the division oldest member qualifies for. To compete as a senior at District Contest ALL team members must be 14 years old and up.
• There is a 3 minute time limit on presentation with judges.
• Junior & Intermediate teams will NOT use heat and will have 30 mins to prepare their dish.
• Seniors are the only division that will use heat and will have 45 mins to prepare dish.
• All teams will be assigned the same category and given the same ingredients. Category, secret ingredients and the clue will not be announced until the start of the contest.
• Clean aprons, closed toed shoes; long pants and hair must be pulled back out of face. Each team will have the option of wearing coordinated clothing.
• 4-H Food Showdown Worksheet and copies of grocery prices are provided day of event. Calculators will be allowed. Cell phones or other electronic devices will not be permitted in the contest area. Teams may not use their personal copies of the resources during the contest.
• All teams must supply their own equipment for the showdown. (See supply box list). Boxes will be checked upon arrival. Any extra equipment will be confiscated.
• Judges reserve the right to disqualify teams demonstrating unsafe food safety practices or dangerous use of the equipment.
• Any competitor who requires auxiliary aids, special accommodations or has food allergies must notify4-H Office at pre-registration.
• Judges reserve the right to taste dishes.
• No animals of any kind•Judges decisions are final
• Any competitor who requires auxiliary aids, special accommodations or has food allergies must notify 4-H Office at pre-registration.

***No parents or leaders will be permitted in the contest area. Any coaching will not be allowed. If students need help there will be adults in contest area they can ask. Judges reserve the right to disqualify teams.***

**Champion and Reserve Champions and 3rd place for each division will receive certificate and ribbon day of event. Top two will get invitation to annual Achievement banquet. ***