On Friday, 9-year-old Adrianna Nelson found herself at the White House – walking on a red carpet to the state dining room. It was her recipe for Magnificent Mediterranean Spotlight Peppers that earned her the royal treatment and a seat at the 2014 Kids’ State Dinner.

 

Adrianna represented West Virginia at the annual event, held in conjunction with the Epicurious Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative. The contest focuses on the promotion of healthy eating among the nation’s youth and this year received 1,500 recipe submissions from across the U.S. One was selected from each state, as well as DC, the Virginia Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.

 

From Alabama’s Veggie Spaghetti with Gulf Shrimp to Wisconsin’s Amazing African Sweet Potato Stew, the winning selections featured wholesome, tasty ingredients and lively titles. According to an NBC TV "Today" show interview with the First Lady, the dinner was just as animated and the special guests were a breath of fresh air. The White House staff prepared the dinner which included some of the winning entrees. The kids – ages 8 through 12 – were also treated to a surprise performance by the Broadway cast of the “Lion King" - and a surprise appearance by President Obama. 

 

In addition to First Lady Obama and the Epicurious food and cookery Web site, the event was sponsored by the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture.

 

In the project, Adrianna teamed up with her dad Willie, who accompanied her to the White House dinner. 

 

“My husband went with her because I went two years ago with my other daughter Alexis, who was a state winner as well,” said Jeanette Nelson, well-known locally for her own culinary contest victories. The 2012 DOLE California Cook-Off winner, 2010 Build a Better Burger People’s Choice Award winner and 2013 Pillsbury Bake-Off finalist is quite pleased with her culinary protégés.

 

“I love that my daughters are following in my footsteps and maybe one day will be the Pillsbury Bakeoff Winners,” she said. “I’m so proud of my girls.”

 

See the full list of Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winners and see additional video at http://www.letsmove.gov/kids-state-dinner-winners

 

Read about Jeanette Nelson HERE.