Waukee student hopes to win school cafeteria makeover through Uncle Ben's cooking competition
Makayla Tendall
One Waukee chef is hoping to win a makeover for his elementary cafeteria with his best rice dish, and he needs Central Iowa's votes to do it.
Teddy Craig, a second-grader at Waukee Elementary, is one of 25 finalists in the 2018 Ben's Beginners cooking contest.
To enter the competition, Teddy and a family member had to cook a signature dish with Uncle Ben's brand rice products. Competitors were narrowed down to a list of 25 finalists.
Finalists then encourage their communities to vote for their recipe each day at beginners.unclebens.com until Nov. 11.
Five grand prize winners, announced Dec. 14, receive $15,000 cash and a $30,000 cafeteria makeover for their school.
Teddy's mother, Elly Craig, said Teddy and his father often cook together. When she discovered the Ben's Beginners contest, she signed the pair up. Teddy said his favorite things to cook with his father are soups, pasta dishes and casseroles.
Inspiration for their recipe came from an already-stashed bulb of fennel in the refrigerator, Elly said.
Teddy and Daddy's Chicken and Fennel casserole.
"They brainstormed (the recipe) together," Elly said. "We just happened to have some fennel in the fridge. They cooked it together with mushrooms, chicken and rice and baked it as a casserole."
The dish, titled "Daddy and Teddy's Chicken and Fennel Casserole," took about an hour to make.
If Teddy wins, he wants to see some more color in Waukee Elementary's cafeteria.
"It's gray and white," Teddy said.
His classmates have also mentioned wanting new chairs and more candy in the lunchroom.
Teddy said he's hopeful he will be one of the five finalists.
"I'm getting lots of voters," Teddy said. "But I'm still happy if I don't win."
To vote for Teddy, visit beginners.unclebens.com and vote for "Teddy & Daddy's Chicken & Fennel Rice Casserole."