Maplewood Holds First Wellness Cooking Contest

The 1st Maplewood Loves Wellness Cooking contest with sponsorship by Overlook Hospital and Atlantic Health Systems was held this weekend at the Maplewood Loves Wellness Fair in Memorial Park. 

Entries from seven local food service businesses prepared a variety of healthy and delicious dishes.

Lorena's restaurant prepared a cold spicy carrot soup. Tondoori Chef prepared chicken dishes Indian style and a carrot pudding. The Laurel prepared a Brussels sprout and kale salad and a granola yogurt sweet dish. Maplewood Deli and Grille prepared turkey burgers and jam jerk chicken. 

The Parkwood Diner prepared a spinach pie and their John's salad. The Columbia High School food service team prepared whole grain pasta oriental style and a rotatouille pasta dish. Maplewood Pizzeria prepared turkey meatballs and a savory pasta vegetable dish. 

Free samples were given to attendees at the fair.

A team of judges sampled all the entries and chose winners base on a scale of nutritional health value, taste, ease of home preparation and cost. The scoring resulted in less than seven points separating all entries.

This year's winners are Lorena's with their carrot soup as a savory dish and Tandoori Chef for their carrot pudding as a sweet dish.

Other events at the fair included contributions to the MEND food pantries. King's Supermarkets sponsored this event with a generous gift. There were audience participation zumba, dance and kick box demonstrations. 

Many local health services, exercise and products were offered. This Friday, Sept. 27, the Ovelook Hospital Healthy Avenues van will be parked at the Baker St. Library for diabetes and blood pressure and health education. 

Also on Friday, the Humane Society will park their mobile van in front of Town Hall to do low cost dog and cat spay/neutering.

Robert Roe
Health Officer
Maplewood Health Dept.