National 4-H Council has just released a new digital cookbook called “4-H Fresh Chefs”. In this cookbook, you will find recipes from some “celebrity” 4-H alums, like Carla Hall (Top Chef), Anne Burrell (Food Network), and Georgia’s own Jennifer Nettles. Recipes from current 4-H’ers around the US are also in the cookbook, including Sumter County’s Shazia Alam, who was able to submit a recipe through her work as a teen member of the Healthy Habits LGU Advisory Council!
Below you will find information about the cookbook and where you can download it. Included are resources from National 4-H Council to use in promoting the cookbook, including social media graphics and sample posts. Many families are cooking more at home, so this a great resource to share with families to do right now.
4-H Fresh Chefs Digital Cookbook
The digital cookbook features 50 recipes from 4-Hers across the country, 4-Hh alumni and supporters including:
- Celebrity Chef and 4-H Healthy Habits Program Ambassador, Tennessee 4-H alumna Carla Hall
- Host of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition and New York 4-H alumna Anne Burrell
- Cookbook Author, TV Host, Former Boxing Champion and Creator of Laila Ali LifestyleLaila Ali
- Owner and Chef of Otium, CJ Boyd’s and Free Play, Winner of Netflix The Final Table Timothy Hollingsworth
Recipes include everyday foods like, Cheesy Cauliflower Pizza, Crispy Smashed Potatoes, and Asian Lettuce Wraps, in addition to celebration foods, like Chicken Pot Pie, Gingerbread Doughnuts , and Sprinkle Cake Pops, that emphasize balanced eating habits. It is available for free online here and audiences have the option to view and share featured recipes online or download the complete cookbook that includes beautiful food photography and personal notes from the youth and celebrities about their dishes.
To download the cookbook, try this one: https://4-h.org/parents/healthy-living/cookbook/?utm_campaign=FreshChefs&utm_source=socialmedia&utm_medium=social_influencer&utm_content=&utm_term=&utm_variation=
Ideas for On-Base Programming
Consider hosting a day camp that focuses on cooking skills. Teach cook cutting skills, sanitation when cooking, and how to prepare healthy recipes. Also, if staff is considering virtual programs for youth send a recipe from the included cookbook to youth to complete at home. After providing youth time to complete the recipe have them submit videos or pictures for online competition. One other idea is for the base staff to create a food demo based on one of the cookbook recipes and challenge the youth to create their own food demo from a recipe of their choice. With the later you can even ask the youth to prepare a 3-5 minute speech on what skills they learned from the food demo.
We would love to hear how you incorporate the cookbook into your program and/or are happy to brainstorm more ideas with you.
Happy Cooking!
Courtney Still Brown, Ph.D, RDN
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Extension 4-H Specialist, Healthy Living Programs
Laura Goss, Georgia 4-H Military Liaison, Adapted