2026 4-H Grilled Cheese Contest

New this year at the 4-H Clover Corner - the Grilled Cheese Contest! 4-H members can compete in this fun contest to showcase their culinary creativity, while learning about food preparation and food safety. Teams can choose one of the two categories to compete in:

1. Bread, butter and cheese (anything from those categories)
2. Bread, butter, cheese and… (with 60% of sandwich filling being cheese) 

4-H members will be judged on their attention to food safety and teamwork in addition to their presentation and taste of their food. It is highly recommended that each team practice for this contest ahead of time!
 

REGISTRATION:

• This event is open to 4-Hers in all project areas who are ages 8-18 years old.
• 4-Hers will compete in teams of 2 or 3 youth with 1 adult supervisor per team.
• Register in ZSuite!
• This event runs in conjunction with the New Hampshire Farm, Forest, and Garden Expo. Participants in the cook-off and their adult supervisor will all receive passes to enter the expo (4 total per team).
   

RULES FOR THE COMPETITION: (adapted from ESE Dairy Committee)

The event staff will provide:

• Griddles
• Aprons
• Hats
• Gloves
• Hand Sanitizer
• Plates for serving the judges
• One (1) table with a table cloth

Teams will need to bring any and all supplies and ingredients necessary to make two (2) sandwiches for judges: One for display/ presentation, and one cut up in 4 pieces for tasting.  All preparation, including cutting of garnishes, may NOT be done prior to the start of the competition. No alcoholic beverages may be used in the preparation of recipes. Kitchen cooking wine is not considered an alcoholic beverage. 
 

Suggested packing list: 

• ALL ingredients needed to make the sandwich (Any perishable items MUST be kept in a cooler with ice and be stored at safe temperatures (below 45F), and all foodstuffs must be stored off of the ground, at least 6”)
• Spatulas, knives, other utensils needed to prepare the sandwiches
• Grilling Hats
• Grilling Apron
• Cutting Boards
• EZ Up (suggested for outdoor cooking)

Be sure to review Safe Handling Tips for Food Events before the event.

One adult supervisor per team must be present for safety precautions but cannot assist or provide direction to the team unless it relates to safety and the preparation of food in any manner.

All competitors must wear the provided grilling hats, aprons and gloves. When handling foodstuffs, all competitors WILL wear sanitary, disposable gloves. All members of the team will need to wear gloves and maintain a safe food environment. 

Time Limits: Cooking times will be assigned in 15 minute increments. There is a 15 minute maximum time limit for grilling, but teams may finish early and present early. 
 

JUDGING & SCORESHEET:

Youth must as a group present dish of one sandwich per judge and give explanation of their dish and be prepared to answer any questions.  The judges will evaluate each team using this 4-H Grilled Cheese Contest Scoresheet.
 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

We need volunteers to help run the competition and to be event judges! If you are interested please contact Hannah Majewski at hannah.majewski@unh.edu. 
 

If you need an accommodation to participate in our programming, please contact Hannah Majewski, (603) 255-3508 and Hannah.Majewski@unh.edu prior to the event. Given ample time, we will make any reasonable effort to meet your needs, including language access services if requested, which will be provided free of charge.