With the growing number of families eating on the run, instead of cooking at home, many young adults don't receive the needed basic cooking skills. Also, many children do not consume the recommended fruits and vegetables each day. According to 2023 America’s Health rankings, Kentucky’s children are ranked 43^rd in the Nation in overall Health.

To encourage more youth to get into the kitchen and improve their diets, the Leslie County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent and Staff teamed up to offer a 3-day Super Star Chef Day camp. Twelve children, ranging from ages 9-12 attended this 3- day, free camp. 

During the camp, they gained hands-on cooking experience and were introduced to new foods and recipes as they prepared healthy dishes like Egg and Veggie Scramble, Fiesta Salsa, Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits, Easy Whole-Wheat Pizza, Carrot Muffins and more! Youth also participated in physical activities while learning more about the importance of being active at least 60 minutes a day. 

Youth were taught basic cooking skills such as food and equipment safety, knife safety, safe food handling, proper cutting techniques, reading recipes, how to measure properly, basic nutrition and much more. In the process they used basic learning skills such as math, science and reading.  A pre-test and post-test were administered to the children during the program. 

As a result of the program, students gained the following knowledge and skills:

1.  167% increase on recognizing foods that are part of the protein group.
2. 100% increase on identifying the right way to hold a knife.
3.   Pre-test: 0%, increasing to 71%(post-test) who identified the right way to guide food when using a knife.
4. Pre-test: 14%, increased to 50% (post-test) who identified how germs get transferred to food.
5. Pre-test: 0%, increased to 100%(post-test) who identified the four steps to safe food.
6. Pre-test and post-test revealed 72% understood how to read nutrition labels.
7. Pre-test: 28%, increased to 86%(post-test) identifying how many minutes a day they should be physically active to stay healthy.
8. Pre-test: 58%, increased to 86%(post-test) identifying the correct technique for accurately measuring ingredients.
9. Pre-test and post test revealed 100% identified the safe position for a pot handle while cooking.
10. Pre-test: 14%, increased to 58%(post-test) identified when to use a meat thermometer.
11. Pre-test and post test revealed 86% recognized the best way to clean fruits and vegetables before eating.

Following the program, students also gained confidence in their food preparation skills:

•  Pre-test: 86%, increased to 100%(post-test) of students agreed that they could make a meal with fruit.

• Pre-test: 72%, increased to 100%(post-test) of students agreed that they could make a meal with vegetables.

• Pre-test: 86%, increased to 100%(post-test) of students agreed that they could help make a family meal.

• Pre-test: 72%, increased to 100%(post-test) of students agreed that they could cut up food using a knife.

• Pre-test: 72%, increased to 100%(post-test) of students agreed that they could measure ingredients correctly.

• Pre-test: 86%, increased to 100%(post-test) of students agreed that they could follow recipe directions.

• Pre-test and post test revealed 100% of students agreed that they could use a recipe with help

 Pre-test: 43%, increased to 86%(post-test) of students agreed that they could use a handheld can opener.

•  Pre-test: 86%, increased to 100%(post-test) of students agreed that they could cook eggs on a stove

In addition, as a result of attending the Superstar Chef Camp program, students strongly agreed to make the following behavior changes:

• 100% can identify healthy foods.

• 100% plan to drink more water and less soda

• 100% plan to be more physically active.

• 100% plan to eat more fruits and vegetables

• 100% plan to try new foods.

Participants were encouraged to sample all the recipes they prepared and to continue using their new cooking skills at home. As a direct result of the program, several of the children went home that evening and prepared one of the recipes. One parent commented that her child really enjoyed the classes and extended thanks for such an energetic and educational program. Each participant was awarded an apron along with their Super Star Chef Camp Recipe book, a UK Nutrition Education Program bag filled with kitchen tools and more!