POTSDAM -- Registration is now open for the third annual North Country Jr. Iron Chef competition scheduled for Nov. 3.

North Country Jr. Iron Chef is a competition for teams of regional middle and high school age youth to develop healthy recipes using a combination of local and commodity foods that could be realistically prepared in a school cafeteria.

“We are excited for regional youth to bring their skills and enthusiasm to the competition, and create dishes that will wow their peers and our judges,” says Sarah Bentley-Garfinkel, School Program Director at the Health Initiative and event coordinator.

Team registration opens online at ncjrironchef.org. For more information, contact ncjrironchef@gethealthyslc.org or 261-4760

On March 14, 2015 teams will gather at A.A. Kingston Middle School in Potsdam to prepare their recipes. Teams will then present their dish to a panel of distinguished judges, made up of chefs, farmers, school food service directors and others, who will select the winners.

“Youth begin thinking creatively about using a local carrot or canned beans as part of a healthy, delicious meal. They consider cost and time constraints to learn what might work in a cafeteria”, says Bentley-Garfinkel. “Along the way they chop, measure and sauté, learning food preparation skills that last a lifetime.”

Recipes are posted on the event website and shared with school cafeteria staff throughout the region. Photos and videos can also be found at the website, ncjrironchef.org.

Teams can be formed within schools, youth clubs, churches, afterschool programs or just friends. Registration opens November 3, 2014 and space is limited.

For more information, to register, or to sponsor the event, visit ncjrironchef.org or contact the Health Initiative at 315-261-4760.