The Stone Cold Chefs of Potsdam High School were among the nearly two dozen teams at the competition.

POTSDAM -- The second annual North Country Jr. Iron Chef competition hosted 23 middle and high school teams from around the region focusing on health meals.

The competition, a project of the Health Initiative hosted at Potsdam’s A.A. Kingston Middle School, had the students use a combination of local and USDA foods that could be realistically prepared in a school cafeteria.

Dishes were judged by distinguished panels including school administrators, food service staff, students, chefs, farmers and others.

In the middle school division, the Soup-A-Starz of Canton Central School took third place. The Fantastic Five of Potsdam Central School earned an honorable mention.

In the high school division, the French Toast Mafia of Clifton-Fine Central School also earned an honorable mention.

Recipes and photos from the competition, and more info on the program, are available at the event website, ncjrironchef.org.

“The Health Initiative is thrilled that many teams plan to bring recipes back to their schools for use in special events, taste tests and meals,” said event coordinator Sarah Bentley-Garfinkel. “We love hearing that youth are learning about and getting involved in school food. Schools, organizations and families from around the region are invited to enjoy these healthy, tasty recipes featuring both local foods and USDA ingredients.”