House of Leaf & Bean Hosts First Annual “Kids Cooking Healthy Contest”

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Wen Raiti, owner of House of Leaf & Bean on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, is hosting their First Annual “Kids Cooking Healthy Contest” for children 7 to 12 years of age, with culinary prizes that they can share with their family.  

The House of Leaf & Bean is a healthy fusion restaurant that blends Asian and Western culinary traditions and offers organic, vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian options. Wen knows that kids love to be in the kitchen and that eating healthy is easier today with the cooking and shopping options available in supermarkets (and at the House of Leaf & Bean!)

When children are in the kitchen, not only do they learn to express their individuality and curiosity about food, but they also learn a little more about math, science, reading, and love! Cooking something healthy for the family grows independence while inspiring youngsters to eat healthier every day.    

Official Contest Rules

The deadline for submission is July 22, 2021.

The categories of healthy food entries that kids can submit include vegan cookies, sliders, and flatbreads. You can choose to use some of Leaf & Bean’s tofu crust or chef-made tofu along with your local supermarket products.

Each recipe must include:

• Child’s Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Email (parent or guardian contact please)
• Recipe Name & Brief Story about the healthy recipe including “Why I Like to Cook Healthy for My Family”

Who Can Enter: Entrants must be 7- to 12-years-old. 

Email the RECIPE and STORY about “Why I Like to Cook Healthy for My Family” to Leigh Cort at leigh@leighcortpublicity.com (Publicist for House of Leaf and Bean).

House of Leaf & Bean owner Wen Raiti will select the finalists by judging on:

• Originality and use of ingredients
• Deliciousness
• Presentation
• Entry dish name and story about “Why I Like to Cook Healthy for My Family”

The Top 12 Finalists will be invited to attend the official in-person contest judging on Monday, August 2, 2021, at House of Leaf & Bean, Jacksonville Beach.

• All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• A minimum of six tastings must be on a presentation serving plate for the judges
• Each child must bring the completed item’s name, recipe, and the child’s name on a piece of paper to accompany the dessert

Rules for Finalists: There are no substitutions or transfer of prizes. Prizes are not redeemable for cash. By acceptance of prizes, winners consent to use of their names and/or photographs for publicity purposes without further compensation. Finalists will be notified by July 27, 2021. Following the contest, names of winners will be posted on the website www.houseofleafnbean.com. 

Judges

Chef Mimi Lan, The Taste Curator

Stephanie Crosier, Clinic Dietitian, Crosier Health & Wellness (pediatric nutrition & plant-based eating)

Chef Vernetta Stewart, ACook4You

Heather Borders, Registered Dietitian, Kailo Nutrition 

Prizes

The Grand Prize Winner will receive

• One-night family vacation for four at the St. Francis Inn in St. Augustine (Sunday thru Thursday based on availability) 
• Two tickets to “The Sound of Music” at Alhambra Theatre & Dining playing August 12 – September 19, 2021
• Tea Ceremony for four children at House of Leaf & Bean
• Gyo Greens Cookbook + Gyo Bag + Small Edible Plant
• $20 gift certificate to the St. Augustine Seafood Company (at the Colonial Quarter St. Augustine)

The 1st Runner Up will receive

• $50 gift certificate to attend a kids’ cooking class at JAX Cooking Studio
• Gyo Greens Cookbook + Gyo Bag + Small Edible Plant
• $30 dining gift certificate to Taberna Del Caballo at the Colonial Quarter St. Augustine
• Tea and Tea set Gift Basket, House of Leaf & Bean

The 2nd Runner Up will receive

• $30 dining gift certificate to Bull & Crown Publick House at the Colonial Quarter St. Augustine
• Gyo Greens Cookbook + Gyo Bag + Small Edible Plant
• NuttyScoopz: a four-pack ‘Snack Pak’ of award-winning Organic Peanut Butter Dip

Every Finalist will receive

• Tropical Smoothie gift card value $5 In Ponte Vedra Beach & Fruit Cove 
• Four tickets to the Pirate Museum, St. Augustine
• Four tickets to the Colonial Quarter Experience, St. Augustine