Encouraging young people to live well and eat healthy has been a focal point for First Lady Michelle Obama. First she created the “Let’s Move!” campaign and the White House garden, and now she has hosted the first Kids’ State Dinner.
The lunch honored the 54 children who had won the "Healthy Lunchtime Challenge." They were chosen from more than 1,200 entrants for creating a nutritious recipe of their own creation or a family favorite. The contest, sponsored by Epicurious.com, was open to kids 8 to 12 and included winners from every state. Contestants who vied for the opportunity to participate at the first Kids State Dinner were chosen by a panel of judges from Epicurious, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education.
According to the Chicago Tribune, “At tables lush with floral bouquets festooned with fruits and vegetables, guests enjoyed a four-course meal served on china originally used during the Reagan administration and a performance by boy band Big Time Rush. The menu, drawn from winning entries, included "yummy cabbage sloppy Joes" and a side of baked zucchini fries. The meal was paired with a performance by the Nickelodeon TV stars/music group Big Time Rush.” A highlight of the event was a visit from President Obama and a tour of the White House garden.
With dishes to entice young appetites like Fish Fueled Pepper Rocket with Kale Chips and Quinoa, and Yummy Cabbage Sloppy Joes, a cookbook might be on the way.
