Tennessee Students to Showcase Creativity, Nutrition Awareness and Local Food Knowledge in Junior Chef Recipe Competition

Tennessee students are invited to bring their creativity to the kitchen through the inaugural Junior Chef State Fair Challenge, hosted through a partnership focused on agriculture, local food and education.

Applications are open through June 19 for the statewide recipe competition designed for students in grades 6-12. The challenge encourages young people to create nutritious, original recipes using fresh Tennessee ingredients, especially products featured through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Pick Tennessee Products program.

Students may work individually or in teams to develop recipes that meet school nutrition standards while highlighting ingredients grown and produced right here in Tennessee. Middle school students will create a parfait-inspired recipe, while high school students will create a Tex-Mex-inspired dish.

Families involved in agriculture, cooking, nutrition or 4-H and FFA may find the challenge a fun opportunity for students to showcase their creativity while gaining hands-on experience in recipe development.

Finalists will earn the chance to present their recipes at the 2026 Wilson County - Tennessee State Fair, and winning students will receive prizes including stand mixers, hand mixers, kitchen gadget sets, trophies and medals.

Hosted through a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Department of Education, the Junior Chef State Fair Challenge is open to public, private and homeschooled students, and aims to inspire the next generation of Tennessee food leaders while highlighting the value of locally grown and produced foods.

Parents, teachers and community leaders are encouraged to help spread the word to students who enjoy cooking, nutrition, agriculture or creative competition. More information and application details are available through the Tennessee Farm to School program.