Looking For Talented Kid Chefs To Compete In 7th Annual Healthy Cooking Contest

PHOENIX, Dec. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is looking for the next great kid chef to create a delicious and healthy side dish recipe. Finalists will sample their culinary creations at a Phoenix Suns home game and win great prizes.

For the seventh consecutive year, the company is on the hunt for original, great-tasting and kid-inspired side dish recipes for the Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge. The program's goal is to motivate Arizona's youngest culinary masterminds to incorporate healthy options into their daily food choices.

Children ages 9–12, living anywhere in the state of Arizona, are encouraged to submit their healthy and tasty side dish creations for a chance to win a new bike. Finalists will also have an opportunity to prepare and share their masterpiece at a Phoenix Suns home game. 

"The Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge is one of the best ways to impress upon kids that nutrition-rich ingredients can also be great tasting," said Myrna Collins, health promotion executive, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. "Year after year we are inspired and impressed with the delicious side dish recipes our budding chefs create, and we can't wait to see what this year's participants bring."

Contestants can submit recipes anytime between Jan. 1–25, 2017. Recipes must be:

• An original recipe for a hot or cold side dish
• Include at least one fruit and/or vegetable
• Be able to be cooked within 20 minutes (not including prep time)

The top five recipes will be selected based on nutritional value, taste and originality. Finalists will be invited to present their creations at a Phoenix Suns home game Feb. 10 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. After the cooking demonstrations, recipes will be posted online at www.walkonaz.com for a public vote. Voting will be open from Feb. 10-22.

Last year's contest winner was Briony Campisi, an 11-year-old from Phoenix. Her winning dish was the unique and colorful Rainbow Mango Strawberry Salad Taco.

"I entered the contest because I thought I could test my limits," said Briony. "I've been cooking for a long time with my mom, and I thought this contest would be a great way to see what I could do on my own!"

Visit www.walkonaz.com for complete contest details and to submit a recipe. All entries must be submitted no later than Wednesday, January 25, 2017.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services or networks to 1.3 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson and the East Valley, the company employs more than 1,300 Arizonans. Follow BCBSAZ at www.facebook.com/bcbsaz or on Twitter at @bcbsaz to get information on health and wellness, a knowledgeable perspective on health insurance reform, and become a part of what we're doing in your community.

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SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona