Announcing our 2012 HOCO Winners!

This year marked our third annual Hands-On Cook-Off challenge to families across BC! Why do we love this contest? So many reasons… It’s a wonderful way to spread the good word about the importance of cooking & eating together. And we love, love, LOVE seeing (and sharing) the videos, which capture families and friends of all ages, from around BC, coming together in the kitchen to prepare favorite meals and snacks (hello new recipe ideas!)

Yesterday afternoon, the pressure was on our panel of judges to choose the top two videos. It wasn’t easy! With so many great videos, the competition this year was very close.  Without further ado, here are the 2012 Hands-on Cook-off Contest winners!

First place goes to Tomato & Basil Crostini viewed at: http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest/view/entry-245

The Runner-up is: Berry Good Muffins, viewed at: http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest/view/entry-233 

The People’s Choice award goes to Culinary Creations by L & K, viewed at: http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest/view/entry-230

The First Time Random Prize Draw, a lovely Genesis Titan Silver Starter Kit soda maker goes to Professor James Makes Chicken, viewed at: http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest/view/entry-237

Our Random Prize Draw, for one KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer goes to Beef Salad Rolls, viewed at: http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest/view/entry-247

An honourable mention goes to both Sophie’s Lemonade and Lila’s Cinnamon Caramelized Gnocchi. Both Lila and Sophie are seasoned veterans of the Hands-on Cook-off and it’s a delight to see these two evolve in the kitchen and in their own communities.

A BIG thank you to everyone who participated!

We want to thank each of you for participating and for helping us get the message out about the important benefits of cooking and eating together. This contest is our way to raise awareness about the social, physical and academic benefits to people of all ages who prepare meals and eat together, as found in our Better Together research findings (and many other valuable studies).

Here are a few highlights of the 2012 Hands-On Cook-Off Contest: 

This year, it really was an exciting competition! For most of the summer, we only had a handful of videos entered. Then, the weekend before the contest closed, 80% of the entries came in.  Almost 75% of the total number entries we received were from first time participants! Some additional highlights:

• 20 video submissions were received from families across BC over a two-month period.
• Children of all ages participated alongside adult family or community members. 
• Great Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies took our "two or more generations" criteria very seriously, with no less than four generations participating! 
• The public was able to vote for their favorites and the video with the most public votes was crowned ‘People’s Choice.’ 
• Grand and runner up prizes were chosen by a panel of judges including Karen Le Billon, author, French Kids Eat Everything; Meeru Dhalwala, co-owner of Viji’s and Rangoli restaurants, and author of two best-selling cookbooks; Kia Robertson, Creator of Today I Ate a Rainbow; and Bob Kronbauer, Founder, Vancouver is Awesome.
• To view the 2012 submissions check out: www.bettertogetherbc.ca/contest