Melbourne Beach’s Gemini Elementary Wins Fuel Up to Play 60 Gridiron Cooking Challenge

By  //  May 13, 2016

took place at EverBank Field in Jacksonville

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Gemini Elementary School students from Brevard County, John Demari, Cooper LaMontagne, Davie Schoolfield, Caroline Meyers, along with their program advisor, William Bechtoc, won a prize pack for their school valued at up to $2,500, iPad minis, and Publix Aprons cooking classes, among other prizes. (Image for Space Coast Daily)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Gemini Elementary School in Melbourne Beach took home the winning title at the third annual Gridiron Cooking Challenge.

Hosted by the Dairy Council of Florida in partnership with Fuel Up to Play 60 and the NFL, the cooking challenge is a fun-filled food competition for elementary and middle school students throughout Florida.

The North Florida event took place at EverBank Field in Jacksonville with special guest, Jacksonville Jaguars running back, Denard Robinson.

Four finalist schools from North Florida competed at the event, preparing a recipe that highlighted dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Students from Blue Lake Elementary (Volusia County), Bunnell Elementary (Flagler County) and James Weldon Johnson Middle School (Duval County) also participated.

Vanessa Hodak
Vanessa Hodak

“We were very happy to see the engagement from North Florida the schools and from the community,” said Vanessa Hodak, VP of School Health & Wellness for the Dairy Council of Florida.

“Congratulations to the winning team, Gemini Elementary, and to all of the finalist schools who participated, as well.”

The winning recipe featured cheesy Alfredo panko breaded chicken on a Cuban roll with basil and Greek yogurt slaw.

The students’ creations were judged by a select group of distinguished professionals, including James Beard-nominated Chef Hari Pulapaka of Cress Restaurant, Florida dairy farmer, Deb Fieser, and Fuel Up to Play 60 national student ambassador, Bobby Sena.

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The students’ creations were judged by a select group of distinguished professionals, including James Beard-nominated Chef Hari Pulapaka of Cress Restaurant, Florida dairy farmer, Deb Fieser, and Fuel Up to Play 60 national student ambassador, Bobby Sena. (Image for Space Coast Daily)

Gemini Elementary School students from Brevard County, John Demari, Cooper LaMontagne, Davie Schoolfield, Caroline Meyers, along with their program advisor, William Bechtoc, won a prize pack for their school valued at up to $2,500, iPad minis, and Publix Aprons cooking classes, among other prizes.

The Gridiron Cooking Challenge event is created and supported by the Florida Dairy Farmers and is part of Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and NFL to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives.

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An upcoming Gridiron Cooking Challenges will be hosted in Tampa with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on May 14.

The Gridiron Cooking Challenge is created and supported by the Florida Dairy Farmers and is part of Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and NFL to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives.

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Gemini Elementary School in Melbourne Beach took home the winning title at the third annual Gridiron Cooking Challenge. (Image for Space Coast Daily)