Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky
Have friends interested in cooking? How about cooking with eggs? If so, the National 4-H Egg Chef Challenge contest is just the place for you to compete! Starting in 2026, the National 4-H Egg Chef Challenge is a team contest. Teams can be 2-3 members. They cook an egg dish as a team, based on that year’s functional property, and then make a 12-minute presentation on their dish and include important information about eggs. They are judged on cooking skills (especially food safety), creativity, teamwork, information provided, and communication skills.
Functional properties What purpose do eggs serve in different recipes? For example, they are a thickening agent in custards and a binding agent in meatloaves.
Each state can send a team to compete in the National 4-H Egg Chef Challenge at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, KY. The conference is held annually the Wednesday and Thursday before Thanksgiving. It’s a great opportunity to meet other 4-Hers from around the country.
Don’t have a contest in your county or state? Think about having your 4-H club start one.
RESOURCES
Egg Chef Challenge (National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference website)