When a natural disaster strikes and you’re stuck at home without power, it’s tough to find good food. That’s why the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA/HS) Ready Georgia campaign is inviting Georgia amateur chefs to compete in the second annual No Power? No Problem! Recipe Contest.
Designed to raise awareness about the importance of preparing a three-day supply of food in case of an emergency, this year’s competition will pit Georgia residents against well-known professional chefs, including “Top Chef” judge Hugh Acheson, “Top Chef” finalist Kevin Gillespie and the winner of last year’s No Power? No Problem! contest, Jason Starnes.
“Anyone who has lost power after a storm knows how tough it is to make a good meal, but if you’re not prepared, it’s impossible. The No Power? No Problem! Recipe Contest is a fun way to encourage everyone to get creative with emergency recipes and stock their Ready kits at the same time,” said GEMA/HS Director Jim Butterworth. “Last year’s contest was limited to professionals, but we heard from a lot of residents who wanted to compete, so this year we’re inviting everyone to come up with their best recipes and take on some world-renowned chefs.”
From now through July 31, all Georgia residents 18 and over are invited to submit their best “no power” recipe via the Ready Georgia Facebook page. Recipes must use only non-perishable ingredients, such as those you can store in a Ready kit, as well as manual tools and alternative heating sources.
Amateur chefs’ recipes will be judged by a panel of experts and the winner will compete against six well-known Georgia chefs during September, which is National Preparedness Month. This year’s professional chefs include:
· Hugh Acheson – Chef and partner of 5&10 (Athens), The National (Athens), Empire State South (Atlanta), The Florence (Savannah), “Top Chef” judge and James Beard “Best Chef Southeast” award winner
· Kevin Gillespie – Owner of Gunshow (Atlanta) and Revival (opening in Decatur this month), “Top Chef” contestant and James Beard “Rising Star Chef” award finalist
· Lance Gummere – Co-owner of Bantam + Biddy (Atlanta) and Chick-a-Biddy (Atlanta)
· Doug Sanneman – Executive chef of Dovetail (Macon)
· Jason Starnes – Executive chef of The Sun Dial (Atlanta) and 2014 No Power? No Problem! Contest champion
· Doug Turbush – Owner and executive chef of Seed Kitchen & Bar (Marietta) and Stem Wine Bar (Marietta)
The winning amateur chef will be announced in August and will win a Ready kit valued at over $100 and have their recipe permanently featured on the Ready Georgia website.
For more information on about preparing for emergencies, or to view last year’s emergency recipes, visit www.ready.ga.gov.
Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive website, free mobile app, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. Ready Georgia is also on Facebook and YouTube.
