UA and Akron RubberDucks team up for Home Run Recipe Challenge

The University of Akron News

03/19/2018

Popcorn, peanuts and Cracker Jack come to mind when thinking about ballpark food, but to help fans focus on healthy concession options, we are pairing with the Akron RubberDucks to host the second annual Home Run Recipe Challenge at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 20, in our Jean Hower Taber Student Union Piano Lounge.

This year’s contest requires competitors to submit healthy recipes that contain fewer than 700 calories and include a nutrition facts label. Each food item also needs a creative ballpark-themed name.

“We wanted the event to be held before baseball season started and, with March being National Nutrition Month, it paired perfectly with our annual health fair,” says Kathy Schupp, dietitian and director of the Nutrition Center in our School of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The UA Nutrition Center and the RubberDucks first collaborated last year with the “chef cook-off” competition, when students were prompted to create a family-friendly vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free item. Miranda Petrigash took first place with her recipe for Tacos Fresca — grilled zucchini tacos with black bean and corn salsa and southwest potato hash.

“Being involved in such a fun, food-inspired event is one of my favorite college memories,” says Petrigash, now an alumna. “This event allowed me to combine my dietetics education and amateur culinary skills to create a healthy, fun dish. Now, as a registered dietitian, this experience has given me confidence in the kitchen and continues to fuel my dream of further advancing my culinary career.”

Three finalists will be chosen and judged by a panel consisting of Petrigash, UA President Matthew J. Wilson, and members of the RubberDucks and Summa Health food and beverage management staff. All finalists will receive tickets to a RubberDucks game of their choice, and the winning recipe will be featured at Canal Park from April 27 to May 2.

   

Media contacts: Dan Minnich, 330-972-6476 or dminnich@uakron.edu, or Kathy Schupp, 330-972-5548 or kschupp@uakron.edu.