November 21 - First Prize

I won first prize in the Share Our Strength Cooking Contest.  Share Our Strength is an organization started by chefs to help low income families with food issues such as hunger and affordability.  I participate in the Cooking Matters classes offered by the Capitol Area Food Bank.  The class offers nutrition and healthy cooking lessons with an emphasis on budget and affordability to those in need.  I have taught three courses (about 18 classes) as the chef.  I have a great time doing it since healthy cooking is my purpose in life.  The adults I teach are generally African American and I am always looking for ways to lighten up and make the food they like healthier.

For my last class I developed a recipe for Hoppin John.  I submitted the recipe to the Soul Food category contest and it won.  See   the blog post.  I was really honored since these classes are usually taught by chefs.  I talked my way in several years ago even though I was not a chef in the classic sense.   Hey, I'm a cook and I know something about nutrition.  That should count for something.  It did and here I am today.  The winner of the Soul Food recipe contest.  You have to admit that is pretty hilarious.  But for those who know how much I love food, totally believable.  Oprah, here I come!  Darn, she doesn't have a tv show anymore.