Healthier Futures Start in the Kitchen

When school’s back in session, families are even more strapped for time, leaving parents to settle for a quick fix when it comes to meals. But, research shows that children who cook and eat with their families tend to consume healthier foods, have healthier eating habits as adults, and have higher academic achievement. Cooking together as a family is more than following recipes to put food on the table – it’s an opportunity to learn healthy habits, inspire creativity and build lasting memories together. Not to mention, cooking strengthens math, science, reading and critical thinking skills.

Dedicated to helping kids learn this essential life skill, UNCLE BEN’S® created Ben’s Beginners™ Cooking Contest. For the sixth school year in a row, the brand is challenging families to spend more time in the kitchen and sharing fun ways to get kids excited about learning cooking fundamentals. Through the program – launched just in time for back to school – aspiring chefs (and parents) can learn to cook and prepare dishes together. Online lessons combine interactive skill learning – like stirring, chopping, pouring and measuring.

To join the BEN’S BEGINNERS ™ movement and get young chefs off to a healthy future, parents can submit photos preparing a rice-based dish with their kid(s) using #BensBeginners. In addition to all of the inherent benefits, each entry is a chance to win one of five Grand Prize packages - which includes $15K cash, a $30K cafeteria makeover for the child’s school and a hometown celebration.

The Ben’s Beginners™ Cooking Contest is an exciting way for parents and kids to make lifelong memories in the kitchen as they cook for the chance to better their community and school with a single dish. Submissions will be accepted on unclebens.com until 11:59p.m. ET on October 9, 2017. Show us photos of your family cooking by using #BensBeginners today!