Estill County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent collaborated with Emma Lee, ANR Agent, Erin Leach, 4-H Agent, Jessica Webb, SNAP Ed assistant, LaDonna Dawes, 4-H assistant, and Sherry Eldridge, volunteer to offer the Superstar Chef Camp program to seventeen youth attended all three days of camp. Five volunteers worked with students in a hands-on educational setting to teach important life skills. A pre-test/ post-test evaluation was conducted to determine learning outcomes.

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

•            One hundred percent recognized foods that are part of the protein group.

•            One hundred percent identified the right way to hold a knife.

•            Ninety-five percent identified the right way to guide food when using a knife.

•            One hundred percent identified how germs get transferred to food.

•            Sixty percent identified the four steps to safe food.

•            Ninety-five percent understood how to read nutrition labels.

•            Seventy-six percent identified when to use a meat thermometer.

•            One hundred percent identified how many minutes a day they should be physically active to stay healthy.

•            Eighty-eight percent identified the correct technique for accurately measuring ingredients.

•            Eighty-three percent recognized the best way to clean fruits and vegetables before eating.

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

•            Ninety-five percent more students agreed that they could help make a family meal.

•            One hundred more students agreed that they could measure ingredients correctly.

•            Ninety-five percent more students agreed that they could use a handheld can opener.

In addition, because of attending the Superstar Chef Camp program, students plan to make the following behavior changes:

•            One hundred percent can identify healthy foods.

•            Ninety-five plan to eat more vegetables.

•            Eighty-eight percent plan to try new foods.

Two of the children, that were siblings, prepared spaghetti and potatoes for dinner after the class.   One child shared with her family about the amount of sugar in Mountain Dew and stated that they shouldn’t drink it.    One of the participants requested that Super Star Chef last a whole month.