Join the Teen Chopped Challenge

The Fairfax County Public Library invites youths age 12-18 to show off their culinary skills by entering the Teen Chopped Challenge.

To enter the contest, create an original recipe using three “mystery ingredients”: one can of black beans, one box of Jiffy corn mix, and one packet of Swiss Miss dark chocolate hot cocoa mix.

A limited quantity of ingredient kits will be available at certain library branches, including Thomas Jefferson Library in Falls Church and Kings Park Library in Burke. If you can’t get a kit, you can buy the ingredients on your own.

To enter the contest, submit a recipe card and photo of the completed dish by Aug. 18. Download a recipe card here.

In writing a recipe, teens need to list all the ingredients in the order of use, spell out the exact measurements, and include the number of servings and how long it takes to make the dish. See more recipe-writing tips here.

Recipes will be judged on taste (can you taste all of the ingredients?), appearance (does it look good on a plate?), creativity (have you transformed the ingredients into a new experience?), and use of the mystery ingredients (did you use all three ingredients in the dish rather than just sprinkle them on top?).

Show off your creation and see what other contestants made at the virtual Teen Chopped Challenge Showcase on Aug. 16 at 4 p.m.