The seventh annual Hands-on Cook-off Contest opens next week in BC and Manitoba with a challenge to YOU to show us your stuff ­-- in the kitchen, that is! We’re so excited to be extending our contest beyond BC for the first time this year, to showcase the importance of cooking and eating together. Get your entries ready, people!

Why do we love the Hands-on Cook-off challenge so much? It’s our vehicle for a valuable message: Cooking and eating together is linked to many benefits for children, youth and families. These include better grades in school, better health, and overall social adaptability.  Recent studies show that cooking among youth is linked to improved physical and mental health.

We can’t wait to see what you’ll submit this year! To add to the fun, we’re doing a giveaway with our friends at Boombaloo for a Kitchen Aid Mixer starting April 18^th, and we’ll be doing a few prize giveaways over on our own Facebook page as well. Stay tuned! 

How to enter the Hands-on Cook-off:

If you’re a BC resident, you can submit your 3-minute long (or less) home video cooking show between April 20 and noon of May 20. Grab a friend or relative and show us your stuff! Videos must include two or more people preparing a recipe together… and having fun! Full contest details, including sample videos and where to upload, can be found on the contest site: http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest

Don’t forget to socialize! Share your video on social media, tagging @bettertogether #HandsonCookoff.

If you’re living in Manitoba and want to enter, please click here!

Prizes:

Several cash prizes of $1000 and $500 will be awarded in different categories to individuals and schools. Total prizes up for grabs are valued at over $4000. Full prizing details can be found here: 

http://www.bettertogetherbc.ca/contest/prizes-awards

Judges:

Every year, our Hands-on Cook-off contest enjoys the support of hundreds of chefs, schools, community organizations, and media. This year’s panel of judges represents all of these groups, and includes: Claire Newell, Jennifer Pallian, Ethan Adeland, Alex Gill, and Denise Marchessault.

The big question is: What will your entry look like this year? Show us! http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest