Published: April 25, 2008 02:57 pm      

LaVale teenager finalist in recipe contest for young cooks

CARLISLE, Pa. - Jessica Burks, 14, of LaVale is one of five aspiring child chefs who will compete Saturday morning for the title of top Kitch'N Kid in Giant and Martin's Kitch'N Kids with 3-A-Dayª of Dairy recipe contest.

The contest encouraged children ages 7 to 14 to create an original recipe using milk, cheese or yogurt. The contest, designed as a fun way for kids to learn that dairy foods can be both tasty and nutritious, was presented by Giant, Martin's, 3-A-Dayª of Dairy, Dannon, Cabot and Lehigh Val-ley/Garelick.

As a finalist, Burks wins a $1,000 U.S. savings bond. The grand prize winner among the five will receive a $10,000 savings bond.

"Children need to eat the right foods that will help them meet their calcium requirement. The Dietary Guidelines recommend that children eat three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt each day," said registered dietitician Sylvia Emberger, corporate nutritionist for Giant Food Stores, LLC.

"Bones are actively formed during the pre-teen and teen years, meaning that getting enough calcium in the diet is crucial," said Emberger. "Dairy products help create strong bones and reduce the risk for osteoporosis in the future. Children are more likely to try new foods when they are involved in meal planning and preparation, so this contest was a perfect way to get them involved in cooking with their families."

During the cook-off, finalists will prepare the recipes that earned them a spot as contestant in the Kitch'N Kids competition. Burks won for her One-Zee's recipe, which consists of flattened biscuit dough, which is baked, with cheese and a pretzel stick added to complete the dish.

Other contestants are:

* Madison, age 8, Winfield, Pa., Quick'N Cheesie Tortilla Pizza

* Dezyrae, age 8, Reynoldsville, Pa., Chocolate Orange Storm

* Christoper, age 11, York, Pa., Fabulous French Toast Feast with Vanilûla Yogurt Syrup

* Natalie, age 9, Allentown, Pa., Natalie's Double Cheesy Mac

Last year's grand prize Kitch'N Kids winner, 13-year-old Emily Hanes of Paoli, Pa., will help judge this year's cookoff.

The final "food fight" will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Giant Super Food Store's Culinary School located at 3301 Trindle Road in Camp Hill.