Hawaii's young culinary talents recently showcased their skills in the "Grow, Eat, Think (GET) Local" Video Cooking Contest, with one standout winner whisking away the Grand Champion Award. Tina Sumtsova, a member of the 4-H Pineapples Club on Hawaiʻi Island, impressed judges with her "Pot of Gold" chocolate mango mini cakes, a treat blending local mango, dates, walnuts, cocoa powder, avocado, and agave syrup, according to a recent announcement by the University of Hawaiʻi, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
The contest aimed to not only foster kitchen creativity but also to educate participants about local agriculture and sustainability. It encouraged young cooks to deftly utilize and thoroughly explain their choice of local ingredients. As part of their prize, the winners received an educational trip to the UH Urban Garden Center in Pearl City. There, they learned directly about composting, a variety of gardening methods, and the importance of garden safety, all while harvesting plants they would use in their recipes.
The event is part of 4-H’s continuing mission to empower the next generation through engaging learning experiences and is strategically facilitated by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Cooperative Extension 4-H program. Participation in the contest was meant to spark not just a flair for flavor combinations but also a deeper understanding and communication of their local food choices.
The culmination of the event was a cooking demonstration where the winners got to demonstrate their recipes and proudly share the reasons behind their food selections. In addition to their culinary demonstrations, the young chefs paired their dishes with local noodles provided by Adela’s Country Eatery and complemented them with freshly picked herbs from the garden. It proved to be a joy to see these budding chefs not just eagerly learn, but also confidently articulate their newfound knowledge and experiences. The contest is slated to return in the spring of 2026 as part of the curriculum offered by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at UH Mānoa.
For those interested in the fusion of local flavors and young culinary ambition, additional information about the GET Local program can be found on the UH Mānoa website, inviting new participants to potentially follow in the footsteps of this year's winners and possibly secure their own victories in the kitchen.
