If you’ve seen the Food Network’s
Chopped or
Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown and enjoy the challenge of cooking with unique foods and common implements, then this cook off is for you! The Newport News Division of Emergency Management invites you to participate in the national Emergency Kit Cook Off event that takes place this month during National Preparedness month. According to the creators at
www.EmergencyKitCookOff.org, the Kit Cook-Off challenges participants to find creative uses for the three day's worth of food and potable water that you squirreled away for the family in case of an emergency.
Participants are challenged to create a recipe from the nonperishable ingredients and manual tools (e.g., can opener, hand whisk, etc.) in their emergency kits and pantries.
The rules are easy:
1) create a recipe that uses at least one of the featured ingredients (Cracker Jack®,Peanuts [any variety], canned corn as in "can of corn", potato, or pickled fruits and vegetables [any variety]) and only nonperishable pantry and kit items, including but not restricted to seasonings, condiments, sweeteners and potable water.
2) use manual tools (e.g., can openers and hand whisks) instead of modern appliances--especially microwaves--in the preparation. Use the oven and/or stovetop if you must, BUT they challenge you to use alternative, safe heating sources if possible.
Recipes are accepted year-round at
www.EmergencyKitCookOff.org, but only those who submit recipes by Friday, September 30th get an official Kit Cook Off apron while supplies last. Submit recipes to the
Emergency Kit Cook-Off challenge.
So that the Department of Emergency Management can easily recognize local recipes, please use Newport News in the name. For example, "Newport News Black Bean Soup." And… bring your prepared dish to the Newport News Fire Department Open House on October 15th for a Fire Department taste test. For more information about the taste test, please contact the Department of Emergency Management at 757- 269-2994 or
ndelvalle@nnva.gov .