Menu Madness contest invites healthy recipe submissions

Feb. 6, 2018 — Dining Services is requesting healthy recipe entries for Menu Madness, a bracket-style contest that will take place in conjunction with National Nutrition Month throughout March.

Dietitians recommend that tournament recipe submissions include a balance of whole grains, lean cuts of meat, dairy products, plant-based proteins, fruits and vegetables. Submissions are due Feb. 23.

Dining Services’ Nutrition Now committee will review the submissions and select the top eight recipes, which will then be placed in the Elite Eight bracket with their descriptions and nutritional values. Students will vote for their favorite March 1 through 7.

The top recipes will move on to the Final Four for students to vote on March 8 through 14.

The final two recipes will be announced on March 15. On March 28, The Menu Madness Championship will feature the two recipes on each dining center’s Cultivate You Line for students to sample and vote. The winning dish will be permanently added to the dining center menus.

The other finalists will also receive prizes: The Elite Eight will gain meal swipes, the Final Four will receive a Housing and Dining Services water bottle and the top two students will be awarded a wellness basket.

“Go Further with Food” is the 2018 theme for National Nutrition Month, an education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The theme encourages people to plan meals in advance to help reduce food loss and waste.