PORT ANGELES — Healthy snacks were more than their own reward when Port Angeles students competed in Sodexo’s 2015 Future Chefs Challenge.
Israel Gonzalez’ Turkey-Fruit Coleslaw Roll-up won raves from judges.
They deemed the Hamilton Elementary fifth-grader’s recipe the best overall at Friday’s competition in the Port Angeles High School cafeteria.
Israel will be considered for a regional finalist award.
Regional finalists will vie to become one of five national finalists competing for the public’s vote on a special Future Chefs YouTube channel.
Other students also received recognition.
Jefferson fifth-grader Nathan Piety’s Whipped Pineapple Pops was judged the Most Kid-Friendly Item.
Pico-Dillas! by Franklin fourth-grade student Sara Holland were the Best-Tasting Product, judges said, while Zucchini Cookies by Kara Meyer, a fourth-grade student at Dry Creek, had Healthy Attributes.
The recipe Easiest to Prepare was Apple Tacos, created by Staija Pope, a Roosevelt fifth-grader.
The Best Table-Decorating Award went to Dry Creek Elementary students Isaac Shamp, Anthea Stoddard and Meyer.
The winners were among the 15 finalists in the contest in which 68 Port Angeles students submitted healthy after-school snack recipes.
Finalists prepared and presented their creations before they were assessed on criteria that included originality, taste, ease of presentation, kid-friendliness and use of healthy ingredients.
Judges were School Board member Cindy Kelly, district Superintendent Marc Jackson and Tina Smith-O-Hara, communications and community relations coordinator for the district.
Other finalists were:
■Dry Creek Elementary School — Isaac Shamp, fourth grade, Hawk’s Mix; and Anthea Stoddard, fourth grade, Cucumber Roll-ups.
■Franklin Elementary School — Jamie Saskowsky, fifth grade, Jamie’s Sailing Eggs; and Celeste Claire Tucker, fifth grade, Un*Thai*Hed.
■Hamilton Elementary School — Abbie Keller, fifth grade, Asian-Style Turkey Bacon Snacks; and Joelle Sommers, fourth grade, Mixed Berry Smoothie.
■Jefferson Elementary School — Kelsey Alexander, fifth grade, Secret Fruit Salad; and Brynn Kayleen Linde, fifth grade, Strawberry Shortcake.
■Roosevelt Elementary School — Alezandra Fitzsimmons, fourth grade, Yogurt Fruit Parfait with Bombziggity Oatmeal Raisin Cookies; and Mark Napiontek, fourth grade, Sunbutter Granola Drops.
The national initiative, which is in its fifth year, was created to get students thinking about making healthy food choices while also encouraging them to get active and creative in the kitchen.
The Port Angeles School District is one of about 230 districts in the nation participating in the event.
Sodexo, a multinational food and facilities management corporation, is a partner in first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative to end childhood obesity.
