Crespo Family of Detroit, Mich. Wins Third Annual National Family PLUS Cook-Off

Crespo Family Out-Cooks Competition to Win National Boys & Girls Club Cook-off Title

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Nov 18, 2010, 10:40 ET

ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crespo family of Detroit, Mich. was named winner of the third annual National Family PLUS Cook-off, which was hosted at Bradford's on Bishop in Atlanta by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Kimberly-Clark Corporation on Wednesday, Nov. 17. Families representing Boys & Girls Clubs from around the nation competed in regional events to qualify for the national cook-off. Finalists represented Clubs from Harbor City, Calif.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Detroit, Mich.; Bluffton, S.C.; and Swink, Okla.

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Research shows that when families eat together there is a reduced risk of children smoking, drinking or doing drugs. The National Family PLUS Cook-off not only encourages families to put their culinary skills to the test, it also encourages them to engage in a little family fun in the kitchen where they can spend quality time and bond as a family.

At the event, each family was paired with a media representative or executive from the Atlanta area. Teams were then assigned to a cooking station, all stocked with the same ingredients, where the objective was for each team to use the given ingredients to make the most mouthwatering dish in just one hour. Dishes were then judged based on presentation, taste and originality. Event judges included Jenny Lewis, vice president of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation; Suchita Vadlamani, co-anchor of Good Day Atlanta; and Veronica Waters, news anchor of KISS 104.1 and WSB radio.

Family PLUS (Parents Leading, Uniting, Serving) is a Boys & Girls Clubs of America initiative that helps Clubs integrate family strengthening activities into their programming. The initiative is supported through a five-year, $7 million contribution by Kimberly-Clark Corporation. "Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kimberly-Clark Corporation realizes that the family is the foundation on which children build healthy relationships," says Jose Cruz, director, Family Strengthening for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We created Family PLUS to provide parents and caregivers with the resources they need to help children live productive lives."

The cook-off event also launched BGCA's celebration of National Family Week (November 21-27). This marks the sixth year that BGCA has partnered with Kimberly-Clark to encourage families across the country to spend quality time together. During the week, Clubs world-wide encourage families to participate in volunteer and service activities that enhance their time together.

Representing Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, the Crespo Family was named the champion, winning a year's supply of Kimberly-Clark products, a Harry and David gift basket and a host of other prizes.

The event was hosted by Chef Marvin Woods, an Emmy Award-nominated television host recently chosen to kick off the First Lady's Let's Cook family cooking series for the national Let's Move! campaign. Chef Marvin travels the country with his program, "Droppin Knowledge with Chef Marvin Woods," educating families how to live better through food. (www.marvinwoods.net)

About Family PLUS

A comprehensive family support strategy by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org), Family PLUS (Parents Leading, Uniting, Serving) allows Boys & Girls Clubs to partner with families like yours, ensuring that parents and caregivers have the opportunities and assistance they need to better their children's lives. This initiative is generously supported by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation (www.kimberly-clark.com). To learn more about Family PLUS, visit http://familyplus.bgca.org.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America