LaSalle 4-H members cooked up their favorite dishes for the Winter Cookery Contest held on January 17 at the 4-H office in Jena.

Youth showcased culinary skills through three different categories which included: Pecan, Sweet Potato and the Cupcake Challenge. First and second place winners in each category received $15 and $10 dollar premium for their dishes. First and second place winners in the pecan and sweet potato divisions qualified for the Central Region 4-H Cookery Contest to be held in Alexandria this April.

Overall, 15 youth participated in the cookery serving up 28 dishes. Cookery competitions through 4-H provide a means for youth to apply food preparation and safety skills as well as time spent with a caring adult in the kitchen.

In addition to the cookery contest, 4-Hers learned the secret to great fluffy pancakes by using low protein flour, how to mix batter to prevent a rubbery pancake and how to read the pancake when it is time to flip.

The winners of the Cupcake Challenge were: 1st Place—Milah Norris, Nebo Elementary (Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes); 2nd Place—Ceanna Benandi, Fellowship Elementary (Caramel Banana Puddin’ Cupcakes) and 3rd Place— Aaliyah Morvant, La-Salle Jr. High (Brown Sugar Cupcakes w/ Pecan Pie Filling and Buttercream Icing).

Honorable mentions were Caydance Woodruff, LaSalle Jr. High (Butter Pecan Cupcakes); Shelby Norris, Fellowship Elementary (Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes); EmmaRie Lurry, Fellowship Elementary (Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes) and Joel Simoneaux, Homeschool (Butterfinger Chocolate Cupcakes).

The winners of the Pecan Cookery – Dessert were: 1st Place— William Harris, Homeschool (Toasted Pecan & Coconut Cream Pie); 2nd Place—EmmaRie Lurry, Fellowship Elementary (Pecan Pie Cake) and 3rd Place—Alyssa Bird, Fellowship Elementary (Caramel Pecan Cake Balls).

Honorable mentions were Joel Simoneaux, Homeschool (Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtle Clusters) and Camille Reichardt, Olla Elementary (Pecan Tassies). The winners of the Pecan Cookery – Other were: 1st Place—Cheslie Joy, Fellowship Elementary (Pecan Crusted Cheeseball); 2nd Place—Milah Norris, Nebo Elementary (Brown Sugar & Pecan Cinnamon Rolls) and 3rd Place—Nathan Richard, Fellowship Elementary (Homemade Millionaires).

Honorable mentions were Ceanna Benandi, Fellowship Elementary (Candied Spiced Pecans); Alyssa Bird, Fellowship Elementary (Overnight Pecan Praline French Toast); Hadley Jackson, Nebo Elementary (Pecan Brittle) and Shelby Norris, Fellowship Elementary (Southern Pralines).

The winners of the Sweet Potato – Dessert were: 1st Place— Ceanna Benandi, Fellowship Elementary (Sweet Potato Marshmallow Crème King Cake); 2nd Place—Milah Norris, Nebo Elementary (Sweet Potato Bread Pudding) and 3rd Place—EmmaRie Lurry, Fellowship Elementary (Sweet Potato Pound Cake). Honorable mention was Jacob Harris, Homeschool (Sweet Potato Molasses Cookies).

The winners of the Sweet Potato – Other were: 1st Place—Camille Reichardt, Olla Elementary (Sweet Potato Casserole); 2nd Place—Chelsie Joy, Fellowship Elementary (Sweet Potato Casserole) and 3rd Place—Natalie Foreman, Goodpine Middle (Sweet Potato Casserole).

Honorable mentions were Joel Simoneaux, Homeschool (Sweet Potato Pancakes from Scratch) and Nathan Richard, Fellowship Elementary (Sweet Potato Smoothie).

For more information on 4H and other youth development program activities, or if interested in serving as a volunteer, contact the local Cooperative Extension Service at (318) 992-2205. It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the ground of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability.