LevelUp x Food on the Stove Meal Prep Competition

Sponsored by Cigna

Food on the Stove and LevelUp hosted an exciting Meal Prep Competition exclusively for Prince George’s County employees, proudly sponsored by Cigna. The high-energy event brought together approximately 60 participants across 15 teams for a hands-on experience that blended nutrition, creativity, and collaboration.

Designed as both a culinary challenge and a team-building activity, participants worked together to create the most balanced, flavorful, and visually appealing 3-day meal prep plan using pre-cooked ingredients and pantry staples.

Competition Format

Each team received a mystery bag containing a unique mix of:

• Pre-cooked proteins, grains, vegetables, and sauces

• Access to a shared pantry of seasonings and condiments (e.g., salt, olive oil, lemon juice, hot sauce, honey)

The Challenge:

• Design 3 different meals for one person to enjoy over three days

• Use only the provided ingredients and pantry items

• Portion meals into three containers

• Name each meal and define its intended nutrition goals

• Complete all tasks within 60 minutes

Judging Criteria

Teams presented their meals to a panel of judges who evaluated each entry based on:

• Creativity – Unique combinations, originality, and visual appeal

• Balance – Nutritional value across proteins, carbs, fats, and fiber

• Flavor – Taste, seasoning, and texture

• Presentation – Cleanliness and overall layout

• Teamwork – Communication and collaboration throughout

Event Impact

The event was a vibrant celebration of healthy living and workplace wellness, showing employees that nutritious meals can also be fun, collaborative, and accessible. Thanks to Cigna’s generous sponsorship, participants gained practical meal-prep skills they can bring into their daily lives while enjoying an afternoon filled with camaraderie, learning, and creativity.

Stay tuned for more wellness-centered events from Food on the Stove and LevelUp!

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