Young chefs from metro Atlanta gathered for the annual Salsa, Salsa competition, a celebration of gardening, healthy living, and youth leadership. The event, hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, challenged youth to create original salsa recipes using ingredients grown in their club gardens.
Developing Life Skills
For 13-year-old Zoe, the experience was a valuable learning opportunity. She and her teammates developed a salsa recipe featuring charcoal-grilled vegetables and herbs, and their hard work paid off as they learned from their mistakes and grew in confidence.
The competition marked Zoe’s first experience with gardening and making salsa, and she said the process taught her patience and responsibility. Crystal Burrowes, teen services coordinator of the At-Promise-West club, noted that the event helps youth develop leadership, kindness, and public speaking skills.
A Community Partnership
The event also highlighted the longstanding community partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs and Willy’s Mexicana Grill. The restaurant presented proceeds from its annual fundraiser, which generated $40,950.65 for Boys & Girls Clubs across metro Atlanta, Athens, and Bartow County.
Joe Ippolito, president of Willy’s Mexicana Grill, said featuring the winning recipe in a restaurant is meaningful because it recognizes the hard work of participants. The winning salsa recipe will be featured later this summer at the winning club’s nearest Willy’s Mexicana Grill location.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
