Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge

The Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge is a team cooking and nutrition competition where youth work together to prepare a healthy dish using a surprise ingredient and a set of available pantry items. Supported by the Dinah Gore 4-H Foods, Nutrition, Fitness, and Etiquette Endowment, the contest helps youth build skills in healthy cooking, teamwork, and communication while learning more about nutrition and food preparation.

Teams have 40 minutes to plan, cook, and clean up, then present their dish to judges and explain its preparation, health benefits, and nutritional value. The assigned category is revealed the day of the contest and may include either a food group (protein, grains, fruits and vegetables, or dairy) or a course (appetizer, main dish, side dish, or healthy dessert).

4-H member wearing a green apron and black chef hat stirring a pot.

Eligibility

  • Teams of 3–4 members
  • Members must be enrolled and approved in 4-H Online
  • Coaches must be approved Level 1 4-H volunteers
  • Age divisions:
    • 8–10 years old
    • 11–13 years old
    • 14–18 years old

Contact your local 4-H agent if you are interested in participating.

Competition Components

The challenge includes several key components that allow youth to demonstrate their skills in cooking, teamwork, nutrition knowledge, and communication.

Teamwork

Teams of three to four members work together throughout the entire challenge. Members collaborate to plan their recipe, divide responsibilities, manage time, and support one another during both cooking and the final presentation.

Three 4-H members wearing aprons and baseball caps join hands in preparation for the Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge.

Cooking & Preparation

Teams prepare a healthy dish using a surprise ingredient and a selection of pantry items. Within the allotted time, members must plan their recipe, cook their dish, and organize their workspace.

Three 4-H members in green caps, black shirts and blue gloves work at a cooking station; one uses tongs to plate food while others assist.

Judging

Judges evaluate teams throughout the competition, observing their teamwork, preparation practices, organization, and final dish. Teams are also scored on how well they explain their recipe and the nutritional value of their ingredients.

Two judges holding clipboards at the Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge.

Grocery Store

Teams may visit the “grocery store” area to select additional ingredients needed for their dish. Each team receives a limited budget, encouraging participants to make thoughtful choices while planning their recipe.

Young 4-H member in a green cap and glasses, wearing a black 4-H shirt and apron, holds a green shopping basket and uses a coin to buy items for their team at the Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge.

Emcee Interviews

During the competition, the event emcee may visit teams and conduct brief interviews while they are cooking. These conversations give youth the opportunity to share how they prepared for the challenge, explain their dish and ingredient choices, and talk about their teamwork while competing.

A 4-H member wearing a black chef uniform smiles as she answers questions into a microphone.

Regional Competition

Teams first compete at the regional level.

2026 Regional Dates

  • March 7, 2026 — East Region (Nash County Extension Office)
  • March 14, 2026 — West Region (Iredell County Extension Office)

Registration opens January 15 and closes February 13, 2026.

County 4-H staff register teams. Space is limited to five teams per age group, with one team per county per age group.

Advancement to State Contest

  • Ages 8–10: Top 2 teams per region
  • Ages 11–13: Top 2 teams per region
  • Ages 14–18: Top 3 teams per region

Regional Competition Map

State Competition

Date: May 16, 2026
Location: NC State Fairgrounds — Jim Graham Building (Got to Be NC Festival)

State registration is open March 16 – April 15, 2026 for qualifying teams only.

National Competition Eligibility

The first place team in the 14–18 age division at the state contest advances to represent North Carolina at the National 4-H Food Challenge, held during the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

National 4-H Food Challenge
Members of the Catawba County 4-H team stand with the State 4-H Program Leader and State 4-H Council Vice President, holding North Carolina–shaped awards after winning the 2025 Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge.

2025 Winners: Catawba County Cooking Clovers

Contest Resources

General Information

Agent Resources (NC State Login Required)

For questions about participation, registration, or team formation, contact your local 4-H agent.

Program Support

The Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge is supported through the Dinah Gore 4-H Foods, Nutrition, Fitness, and Etiquette Endowment, in partnership with:

Contact