YouthUp, Inc. Presents 2nd Annual Celebrity Chef Cook-Off

YouthUp, Inc. - a recipient of Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) funding in 2023 - is hosting announces its second annual Celebrity Chef Cook-Off, a fundraiser benefiting youth members of its Youth Leadership Council (YLC). This year's Cook-Off will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lizzie Chapel Baptist Church (1180 Bartlett Street).

YLC teens help plan and work this event, an exciting competition in which community leaders prepare and bring their best dish to compete for awards and prizes. This year's competition features Macon pastors, as well as a "Mystery Chef" (a community leader well-known for their service), and has dishes like A Taste of the Bahamas, Baked Ziti, Pork Chops over Rice, and Wings with Secret Sauce.

"You don't want to miss this exciting…and delicious…event to help us work with the youth of our community," says Executive Director Amanda Smith. "We're so grateful for our chefs for stepping forward to show off their culinary skills!"

It's only $20 (payable in advance or at the door) to sample all eight dishes and vote for your favorite. The votes are then tallied, and winners are announced and presented with awards. YouthUp also provides bread baskets on every table, an array of desserts, and tea, lemonade, or water for all attendees - no one goes away hungry!

Last year's winners include:

• 1^st place: Judy Gordon, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, with her Shrimp and Grits;
• 2^nd place: Commissioner Elaine Lucas, with her Divine Potato Salad; and
• 3^rd place: Dr. Henry Ficklin with his Chicken Carbonara.

To purchase advance tickets, contact Executive Director Amanda Smith at (478) 733-8602 or [email protected]. You can also buy tickets at the door that day.

YouthUp is part of the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program, receiving a $20,000 grant from Macon-Bibb County through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. This is their first year in the program and the second year that grants have been awarded.

Working with the Parks & Recreation Department, it holds monthly "Real Talk for Stronger Families" sessions. The goal is to foster more open communication between youth and their parents and grandparents to better find solutions to issues teens may be facing.

"We want everyone to have a seat at the table and to have a voice in improving our lives and our futures," says YouthUp Executive Director Amanda Smith.

"It's because of the direct outreach to families throughout our community by amazing nonprofit organizations that we had a 43% decline in our homicide rate," says Mayor Lester Miller. "I want to thank YouthUp and all our MVP partners for working daily to create stronger families and better futures for our children.

Though MVP is still new in its implementation, it has already helped the community realize significant results in becoming safer. From 2022 to 2023, Macon-Bibb had a nearly 43% reduction in homicides, from 70 to 40. The reduction in homicides for children (those 18 years old and younger) went from 15 in 2022 to 5 in 2023 - which is a 66.7% reduction in just one year. 

While other cities in Georgia and around the country also had a decline in their homicide rate, Macon-Bibb County's 43% far surpassed them. Atlanta had a 21% decline, Columbus a 12%, Savannah a 13%, Mobile, Alabama a 21%, and Jackson, Mississippi a 14%.  

About Macon Violence Prevention
Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations and departments.  

The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was introduced in June of 2021. Created by community stakeholders and violent crime experts, this strategic plan combines data and research with community feedback to implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time. 

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