The Kentucky Department of Agriculture offers an annual competition at the KY State Fair entitled Kentucky Farm to School Junior Chef. This cooking competition is statewide for high school students who compete at the county, area and state level. Junior Chef allows competitors the opportunity to learn and practice valuable skills in food preparation, marketing, recipe development, team work, public presentation and community involvement. Also, the competition showcases local agriculture and producers in an effort to introduce quality local produce into schools and the diet of youth.

Cumberland County had never participated in the Junior Chef competition. Two youth expressed interest in the culinary field as an option after high school graduation and a local Junior Chef team was formed. The team was named Cumberland's Best and consisted of four Junior students: three female and one male. The team worked to develop a recipe that would showcase local produce. The recipe developed was named "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" and included the following local ingredients: carrots, apples, honey, onions, green and red bell peppers.

The students practiced and revised the recipe over the course of several months. They learned and practiced the following skills: knife skills and techniques, safe cooking temperatures, kitchen and food safety, measurements, flavoring with herbs, complementary flavors, nutrients, and plate presentation. "Cumberland Best" advanced through the area competition and proceeded to compete at the KY State Fair where they advanced to round 2. The team members scores improved significantly from the area to the state competition. The area scores were: 177, 179, 187 with the average being 181. The state scores were: 191, 194, 202 with the average being 195.6. Three of the four students had not been members of organized school clubs or sports. All four increased their public speaking skills and comfort level presenting before a large group. This activity/accomplishment can be added to their scholarship and college applications upon high school graduation.