The Kid Food Nation recipe contest is back

The Kid Food Nation recipe contest is back for its fourth year.

Kids between the ages of seven and 13 from across the country are encouraged to share their love of good food by submitting original, healthy recipes that highlight their culture or their Canadian pride.

Each year, 26 young winners are chosen, representing every province and territory in Canada, to have their recipes and chef profiles published in the Kid Food Nation cookbook.

Last year’s winners from Nunavut were Ryan Akeeagok, who won for his caribou stew recipe, and River McCluskey, whose muskox tourtière also garnered him a win.

“It’s fun to be around all these kids who like to cook from across the country,” said River’s mom, Kerry McCluskey, reflecting on the Kid Food Nation awards gala in Toronto last fall.

It’s a sentiment shared by River, who, when asked last December whether he’s planning on submitting another recipe this year, answered with a “yes” and a smile.

“I wonder if I’ll get lucky enough to win again.”

The contest is only a part of the larger Kid Food Nation program, which is intended to help kids develop cooking skills while also getting them excited about healthy food.

Young chefs, with the help of a parent or guardian, can visit the Kid Food Nation website to submit their recipe.

The deadline for entries is May 3.