Last Day of Jr. Chef Academy is just SWEET!

                Normally we would not say our last day of any camp is sweet, but in this case it is the only phrase that fits.  You see our last day of this year’s camp was centered on some sweet treats like cake, cookies, and food decorating.  You might have noticed during our week we focused on local foods, value added products and eating healthy.  So where does all this fit in?  Well read on and see.

                We started our day as we usually do reviewing what we learned and liked from the day before.  After that it was time for our local businesses to review their business plans and adjust their request for investment monies accordingly.  Must give our entrepreneurs credit as they came up with some well thought out proposals for our banker.  Everything from planning for employee salaries and benefits, to the amount of collateral and investment they would be providing.  Each one was able to meet with the banker and received a handshake on an offer of investment for their companies.
While working in the kitchen with Mrs. Janice the group got to practice their baking, measuring, and receipe reading skills.  Each group made a butter cake and different shaped chocolate chip cookies.  It was so much fun pressing the cookie dough into place and watching both the cake and cookies rise.  We made a horse shoe cake becuase it is a sign of good luck and a very nice person who knew that we were doing baking for our Day Camp this year, actually donated the Wilton Cake pan becuase he liked the impact 4-H has on our young folks.

                Feeling on top of the world, the campers took a snack break before breaking into groups to cook and design the Jr. Chef Common Cents (our version of currency).  Each group voted on their top contenders in terms of cash dollars.  While one group was decorating paper the other group was baking up something to decorate later.  Cake and cookies were on the menu.  Both are great vehicles for decoration and icing which makes them even sweeter. 

                After a lunch of incredible, edible, pizza it was time to get down to business.  Our groups separated again and while one learned about using decorating bags and tips (decorating their very own cookies) the other group had broken back into their businesses to create and design their own menu.  After about an hour the groups switched so everyone got to play in icing, and decorate their own cookies.

                The last day would not be complete without a visit from Mrs. T.  We bowled, we played a quiz game about foods and we made our own snack (a turkey wrap).  When we went home we had our own 4-H aprons to cook in, a small tin with decorating supplies, a cookbook, and flying discs from Mrs. T.  It was a great week of fun!  So much so, we can’t wait to see what is in store.