Arla and Kate receive the news that Arla won!
By Madie Murray
Community Journalist
More than 1,200 junior chefs ages 8 through 12 answered the call to enter their favorite recipes in the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. Only one winner from each state would be selected to win a trip to the White House and attend the Kid’s “State Dinner” hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama on August 20.
Arla learned that she was a finalist about a month ago but had to wait a couple of extra weeks to learn if she truly won. The judges, that included White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass; Chef Jose Andres; Marshall and Alex Reid, authors of Portion Size Me; Epicurious Editor-in-Chief Tanya Steel; and representatives from the USDA and the Department of Education, had a tough time choosing the final winners because of the quality of entries they had received.
The now famous Salad Noodle Wraps
On July 24, Arla finally learned that she, indeed, was the winner for the state of Washington with her recipe for Salad Noodle Wraps. “Your recipe was particularly impressive as it was creative, tasted great, and most importantly, was healthy,” stated Jennifer Goanach with Epicurious.com and Gourmet Live in her congratulatory email to Arla, “so that’s why we picked yours as the best from your state.”
“Arla is in an excited state of shock,” says her mother, Kate Long. “I don’t think she really thought she would win.”
Arla is a two-time winner of the Farm to Cafeteria/OISD Student Chef Competition event: the first year for her favorite Orange-Almond Granola, and the second year when she teamed up with her friend, Millie Kau, for the now national-contest-winning Salad Noodle Wraps.
Congratulations, Arla! We can’t wait to hear all about your experience when you return home to Orcas.
I have not met Arla but I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo proud of her!!! It’s no wonder she is such a young culinary genius as I truly believe Orcas Island is the catalyst for healthy living, cooking and enjoying life. Congratulations Arla :) !! xoxox
Wow, Arla! Like Monica, I haven’t met you, either, but am so proud and excited for you! Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the “Kid’s Dinner” with Michelle Obama. And am also hoping at some time on Orcas somehow we Orcasites can taste your Salad Noodle Wraps! Good going!
Well I DO know Arla and I love that she gets a chance to see and be in the same room with Michelle Obama! GO ARLA!! :)
Wow, can we have the recipe? Must be great!!! Congratulations Arla!
I know Arla and Orcas Island is SO proud of her!!! You and Millie did a great job … can’t wait to have you cook dinner one of these days!