Kids from Across Hartford Face Off in Citywide Culinary Championship Hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford (BGCH), in partnership with Stop & Shop, hosted the 2026 Kids Cooking Club Culinary Championship, a fast-paced, “Top Chef” inspired competition designed to encourage students to learn how to prepare and enjoy healthy foods. The championship brought together 20 youth from BGCH's five Hartford club locations, all of whom earned their spot by winning qualifying rounds held at their respective clubs. Stop & Shop also presented BGCH with a $60,000 donation to support afterschool programming, nutrition education, and healthy lifestyle initiatives for members ages 6-18.

"At Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, we believe healthy futures begin with healthy habits. Through experiences like our Kids Cooking Club, young people are learning that nutrition, wellness, and healthy choices can be fun, creative, and empowering. These are life skills that extend far beyond the kitchen and help prepare our members to lead healthy, productive lives. We are grateful to Stop & Shop for investing in our youth and partnering with us to make health and wellness an integral part of the Club experience for children and families across Hartford."-Alise Dixon, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford

“This competition is about much more than cooking, it gives kids an opportunity to build confidence, work as a team, express their creativity, and develop skills that will benefit them for years to come,” said Stephanie Cunha, Manager of Community Relations for Stop & Shop. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford create meaningful experiences that help kids thrive and Stop & Shop is proud to support programs that make healthy living fun, accessible, and engaging for students.”

During the competition, the teams following recipes from the Stop & Shop Kids Cooking Club Curriculum using ingredients and donated by Stop & Shop and grown at BGCH’s own gardens. The culinary contest consisted of two rounds of challenges, each lasting 15-20 minutes. The competitors presented their creations to a panel of local celebrity judges, including:

• David Milton, BGCH alumnus and food influencer @thedamgram
• Keith McGilvery, former radio personality and creator of @goodnewsguy, known for sharing uplifting stories across social media and LinkedIn.
• Gabe Boyd, chef and owner of 881 Grab & Go in Hartford,

The judges evaluated each team based on taste, presentation, creativity, and teamwork before crowning the city's overall champions.

The members of the winning Southwest Club team each received $100 Stop & Shop gift cards, a championship trophy, and the bragging rights that come with being named the 2026 BGCH Kids Cooking Club Culinary Champions. All participants received a gift bag and a plush toy of Stop & Shop's beloved mascot, Marty the Robot.