Fifth Annual RFS "My Favorite Holiday Food" Story Writing Contest Anounces Winners

Over the past few weeks, more than 1,000 Houston area students were asked to write about their Favorite Holiday Food for the Recipe for Success  2010 Annual Story Writing Contest. Each story tugged at the heart strings of the judges, and made their mouths water. The essays were judged by faculty at the school level, with six semi finalists emerging, before going head to head to claim the grand prize. 

Final judge, Gwendolyn Zepeda, author of "I Kick the Ball,"  selected Vanesa Velasquez from Lyons Elementary as the overall winner.  Vanesa will become "Chef for a Day" with Chef Jeffrey Everts at The Houstonian and have her essay published on Arte Publico's website.  Other prizes awarded included RFS boutique gear, and a catering party with Chef Kendall Watson. 

Read Vanesa's story below along with some semi-finalists.  And think about your favorite holiday food!

Yummo! Grand Prize Winner, Vanesa Velasquez, a Lyons Elementary student, discusses the delicious ease and consistency with which her family prepares the Thanksgiving turkey each year. It turns into a heart melting cautionary tale of how her mother learned to cook. Lyons066.pdf

This MacGregor Elementary student likened her family's sweet potato pie to a good friend you only get to see on special days.  MacGregor064.pdf

OMG you'll be glad you read this essay by a Briscoe Elementary student! This student shares her overwhelming joy at waking up to the Thanksgiving smell of a roasting turkey.Briscoe065.pdf

A Rodriquez Elementary student shows individuality and their multi-cultural background with this essay.  The essay gushes love for delicious home made tamales in their native language. Rodriguez067.pdf

Finally, a Whittier Elementary student shares their win-win situation. Whether or not they win the grand prize, every time this student takes a bite of their families pumpkin pie, they feel like they have one a million bucks. Whittier068.pdf