"Kids' State Dinner" at White House to include 9-year-old Utahn and Big Time Rush

On Monday, August 20, First Lady Michelle Obama will host the first ever "Kids' State Dinner" at the White House, inviting 54 kids, ages 8-12, representing all U.S. states, three territories and the District of Columbia, to a luncheon featuring healthy food and a performance by Nickelodeon music sensation Big Time Rush.

In May, parents from across the country were invited to work with their child to create a lunchtime recipe that is healthy, affordable and tasty, and followed the nutritional guidelines set by USDA's ChooseMyPlate.gov site.

Fifty-four winners were chosen. Utah will be represented by nine-year-old Lahav Ardi, whose recipe is for Lahav's Lentil Veggie Soup. Following the luncheon, the kids will be treated to a performance by past Usana Amphitheatre headliners Big Time Rush, and will have the opportunity to visit the White House Kitchen Garden. The event will be streamed live at www.whitehouse.gov/live. A free downloadable and printable e-cookbook of the winning recipes, including nutritional analyses, photos and drawings, will be available in late August at http://recipechallenge.epicurious.com