DEERFIELD – Tim Reed, interim executive director of the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area, joined NewsTalk this morning to talk about the United Way Youth Cooking Challenge.

The United Way is looking for participants ages 10-14 to participate in the challenge, and a minimum culinary skill level is suggested. Applications are being accented through Monday, Jan. 22 at 11:59 p.m.

Children selected for the challenge will be paired with a local chef, and each team will be professionally filmed preparing a “signature” dish. The public will then be invited to vote for their favorite team online. The two teams that receive the most votes will compete in a live “cook-off” event on Tuesday, April 10.

All finalists in the challenge will receive a cookbook, the runner-up will receive a cooking-themed basket valued at $150, and the grand prize winner will receive a cooking-themed basket valued at $250.

To apply for the Youth Cooking Challenge, click here.

If you have questions about the application or the event, you can call the United Way volunteer and event coordinator Jordan Davies at 315-733-4691 ext. 226, or email jordand@unitedwayvgu.org.