Welcome to the 4-H Food Project page! Here, young chefs explore the culinary world through hands-on cooking projects, from sweet treats to savory dishes. So, grab your apron and let's get cooking 4-H Chefs!
Projects to explore include:
- Cooking 101: Youth learn how to use MyPlate, avoid spreading germs while cooking, measure and mix ingredients, test baked goods for doneness, brown meat, and set the table for a family meal.
- Cooking 201: Topics include understanding and preventing foodborne illnesses, thawing frozen foods, proper knife techniques, how to read Nutrition Facts labels, and how to make soups, rice, pasta, and other foods.
- Cooking 301: Youth practice making bread, grilling meats, vegetables, and fruit, and making butter. Youth learn about yeast, gluten, and different types of fats.
- Cooking 401: Youth learn about herbs and spices and how to make ethnic foods. Youth also practice making cakes, candy, pastries, and pies
- Global Gourmet: Create rich and delicious meals from Mexico, Africa, Japan, India, Italy, Greece, and Germany as you explore food history, customs, and nutrition to better understand our world.
- Kitchen Boss: Kitchen Boss is designed for advanced-level youth interested in developing cooking skills at home or exploring cooking as a profession. With a focus on the culinary approach, learners try new cooking methods, become familiar with kitchen tools and equipment, and experiment with ingredients and flavors.
Links to project guides and resources are located at the bottom of the page.
Show Your Skills
- Create a menu for a balanced special meal
- Design a traditional meal of a specific culture
- Practice plating techniques
- Start a kitchen garden and develop dishes with the harvest
- Write instructions on how to prepare a meal so that all items have the same finishing time
Service and Leadership
- Cookie baking day with a nursing home
- Kitchen supply drive for a community center
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen
- Coordinate a meal train for families in-need
- Donate to / volunteer at a local food pantry
- Chair your 4-H club’s refreshment committee
- Coordinate food-related 4-H service projects
- Youth liaison for a food stand at a 4-H show
- Assist a food SPIN club in using new recipes
Entrepreneurship
- Make & sell homemade candy for holidays
- Create a cookbook
- Mix and sell locally sourced dried spice blends
Technology Connection
- Explore new kitchen gadgets and how they improve the kitchen experience
- Set up a virtual cooking show
- Start a food blog
Connecting with a Mentor
- Community college with a culinary arts program
- Local restaurants, bakeries or caterers
- Local food company
- Family and consumer education teachers
- College or university food and nutrition majors or faculty
Events
- 4-H Food Challenge
- 4-H food SPIN club
- 4-H Presentations Contest - Food Demonstration
- Illini Summer Academies
- Local cooking / baking challenges / cook-offs
- Community-wide food festivals
- Local grocery store cook-offs or demonstrations
Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements
- 4-H Cooking 101
- 4-H Cooking 201
- 4-H Cooking 301
- 4-H Cooking 401
Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store.
View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.
“4-H Cooking 101, 201, 301, 401” – University of Illinois Extension 4-H Publication
University of Illinois Extension staff that contributed to this resource include Katharine Rose M. Girone.
4-H Spark Sheets are a collaborative effort of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni and teens from across Illinois. A big thanks to the many contributors and reviewers!