We've changed names! The State Food Challenge is now the Illinois 4-H Dish Dash!
Illinois 4-H Dish Dash brings together middle through high school youth, who compete in teams to prepare a culinary creation for the judges before time runs out! Teams are challenged to create a dish that is nutritious and visually appealing, while also including mystery ingredients that are revealed just before the competition begins. When time is up, the teams show off their dishes to the judges with a presentation, incorporating their knowledge of cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and nutrition. Youth always have fun at this high energy event and gain important life skills in teamwork, planning, problem-solving, public-speaking, and of course, cooking.
2026 Dish Dash Information:
- Who: Youth currently enrolled in 6th grade up to 12th grade, in teams of 2-3. Prior Food Challenge participation or 4-H involvement is not required. Ask your school culinary teacher to bring a team from your class, or make your own team! (Excused absence letters can be provided).
- What: FREE! Timed, judged cooking competition with prizes for everyone! Lunch is provided.
- Why: The Food Challenge is fun and exciting and provides important hands-on learning for youth about food safety, preparation, and nutrition, as well as teamwork, planning, problem-solving, time management, and public presentation.
- When: 10am-3:30pm on Thursday, May 7th, 2026
- Where: Bevier Hall Cooking labs on University of Illinois’ campus, 905 S Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
- How: Registration is open from February 23rd through April 17th on ZSuite. Registration will ask for participants to indicate their team name and adult “coach”. Event information and required forms will be included in registration.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Natalie Bradley.
Stay tuned for more information, coming soon!
Congratulations to the 2025 State Food Challenge winners and participants!
Teams from across Illinois competed in the 2025 State Food Challenge on June 14th, 2025, with Team Spice Squad taking home the championship title. Congratulations to Lottie Leonard, Josi Rupp, and Vivi Rupp for their win! Gideon Craft, Bailey Walters, Dexter Watterson, and Lily Watterson from Team DeWitt County Homeschool were awarded as the runner-up team. The judges were impressed with all of the team creations and presentations- congrats to all of the participants for a great competition!
Mystery ingredients. Teamwork under pressure. Serious cooking skills.
At the Illinois 4-H State Food Challenge, teams of youth took on a culinary showdown sponsored by the Illinois Beef Association, and the results were sizzling!
Watch as 4-H members whip up creative meals using surprise ingredients in this exciting, fast-paced competition!
