Several west Georgia churches will put their cooking skills to the test during an interfaith tailgate cook-off on Nov. 11.
Tanner Health System’s Faith in Health committee and the University of West Georgia is inviting the public to share in the joy of good, nutritious food and fun fellowship at the Get Healthy, Live Well Tailgate Cook-Off. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of West Georgia’s Tailgate and Grill Pit, located in the northwest corner of the parking lot at the end of Wolves Parkway.
The cost to park in the stadium area is $5. Free parking is available on campus, and university shuttles will be available to transport event patrons to the stadium.
The event will include free samples of food, hot apple cider, free blood pressure checks and children’s activities. Tanny the Turtle and Wolfie will also make an appearance.
"Wolfie's energy is enough to ramp up any event," said UWG President Kyle Marrero. "We at West Georgia are committed to promoting sustainable, healthy lifestyles. Our food choices are a major part of that commitment. We applaud our area churches for their efforts to showcase healthier dining choices."
The Faith in Health committee churches include A Place of Refuge; Agape of God Ministry, Inc.; Antioch Missionary Baptist Church; Church Without Walls; Covenant Word Ministry; First Baptist Church of Bowdon; First Baptist Church of Carrollton; First Baptist Church of Villa Rica; Friendship Baptist Church; Overcomers Christian Center; Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church; Southern Hills Christian Church; Tabernacle Baptist Church; and Word of Truth.
“Get Healthy, Live Well is thankful for our partnership with the churches involved in the Faith in Health committee,” said Phyllis Head, community outreach coordinator at Tanner’s Get Healthy, Live Well. “From participating in fruit and veggie challenges to changing their event menus so that they include healthier food options, these churches have been enthusiastic partners to improve their congregations’ health.”
During the Get Healthy, Live Well Tailgate Cook-Off, participants will offer up their healthiest — and tastiest — tailgate meals. All entries will be judged by a panel of food and nutrition experts.
“The winning tailgate chef will take home the prestigious ‘Hallelujah Cup,’ along with bragging rights as the Get Healthy, Live Well Tailgate Cook-Off champion,” Head said. “We thank the University of West Georgia for partnering with us to host this event that combines fellowship, food, football and fun.”
The tailgate cook-off is the fourth event hosted by the Faith in Health committee this year. The cook-off will give the faith-based community an opportunity to improve the nutritional value of traditionally high-calorie, high-fat tailgate foods while engaging in some friendly competition.
In July, Overcomers Christian Center hosted the Bible Quiz Bowl. In March, Tabernacle Baptist Church hosted the Hoops for Health Basketball Challenge. And in January, Southern Hills Christian Church hosted the Resolution Run 5K.
All events were hosted in partnership with the Faith in Health committee.
"Tailgating is about fun, food and fellowship," Marrero said. "Offering healthy options just makes them more enjoyable."
For more information about the Get Healthy, Live Well Tailgate Cook-Off, call 770.812.9871 or email gethealthy@tanner.org. For more information about Get Healthy, Live Well and the Faith in Health initiative, visit GetHealthyLiveWell.org.