Stamford Students Participate in "Cook-Off"

Dolan Middle School student Joseph Johnson won the PlateUpStamford “cook-off” held Monday evening at the Tully Health Center with his recipe “JoJo’s Chopped Buffalo Chicken Salad.”

He was joined by two other finalists in the inaugural PlateUpStamford, a contest that aims to promote, encourage and inspire youth and families to engage in healthy nutrition choices, healthy cooking and family mealtime. The finalists prepared and shared their dishes with a panel of local judges and local resident and Celebrity Chef Hunter Zampa, who served as Chef Ambassador. As part of the grand prize, Joseph’s dish will be featured on the menu at Rizzuto’s Restaurant in Stamford through Sunday, March 15.

Second Place went to Jason Zarrilli and Kieran Johnston from Cloonan Middle School for “Bean Mania Burger with Fruitful Fusion Smoothie.”

Third Place went to Maggie Miester from Scofield Magnet Middle School for “Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Mango-Pineapple Salsa & Quinoa Salad.”

Photo Caption: From left to right, Maggie Miester; Celebrity Chef Hunter Zampa; Gavin Pritchard, RD, CSSD, CD-N, CDE, Dietician-Chef, Stamford Hospital Population Health; Contest Winner Joseph Johnson; Jason Zarrilli and Kieran Johnston (team).